"It Matters How We Live"

Reference

Luke 16:19-31

Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a story that disrupts our comfort and challenges our assumptions about wealth, compassion, and responsibility. The contrast between the rich man, clothed in luxury, and Lazarus, suffering at his gate, is not just a tale from the past—it’s a mirror for our own world. The reversal that comes after death is not arbitrary; it is a direct result of how each lived. The rich man’s sin was not his wealth, but his indifference. He saw Lazarus every day and chose to do nothing. This is the heart of the warning: it matters how we live, how we treat those at our gates, and whether we recognize the image of God in our neighbors.

We live in a society where the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider, where it’s easy to insulate ourselves from the needs of others. The story of Lazarus is not just about individual acts of charity, but about a posture of life—one that refuses to step over those in need, one that refuses to close the gate of our hearts. Generosity is not about the size of our bank accounts, but about the openness of our lives. There are examples of those who use their resources for good, but the real danger is forgetting where we came from and ignoring those who suffer.

Community is at the heart of following Jesus. It’s not enough to gather for worship and feel good about ourselves. True faith is lived out in the daily, sometimes inconvenient, acts of love—checking in on a neighbor, supporting those who grieve, sharing in each other’s joys and burdens. Jesus is not distant; he is present in the faces of the hungry, the lonely, the marginalized. The call is to see, to care, and to act—not just with our money, but with our presence and compassion.

We have the teachings of Moses, the prophets, and Christ himself. The question is not whether we know what to do, but whether we will do it. Will we build gates or tables? Will we write checks or offer ourselves? The only treasure that endures is a heart shaped by compassion and hands open in generosity. May we live in such a way that we reflect the grace of Christ, seeing Lazarus at our gates and responding with love.

Key Takeaways

1. Indifference is the True Poverty The rich man’s downfall was not his wealth, but his daily choice to ignore Lazarus at his gate. Indifference to the suffering of those right in front of us is a spiritual poverty that distances us from God’s kingdom. True discipleship requires us to see and respond to the needs of our neighbors, not just with words, but with action. [02:46]
2. Wealth is a Tool, Not a Fortress Having resources is not inherently wrong; the problem arises when wealth becomes a barrier that insulates us from compassion. Generosity is measured not by the size of our gifts, but by the openness of our hearts and our willingness to remember where we came from. The call is to use what we have to lift others up, not to build higher gates. [06:28]
3. Community is More Than Sunday Morning Faith is not confined to worship services or religious rituals. True community is found in the daily acts of care—checking in on one another, sharing joys and sorrows, and being present in each other’s lives. The church is called to be a living network of support, embodying Christ’s love beyond the walls of the sanctuary. [12:18]
4. The Danger of Hardened Hearts When we close ourselves off from the needs of others, we not only harm our neighbors but also cut ourselves off from the life God intends for us. Policies, choices, and attitudes that ignore the vulnerable have real consequences. The invitation is to examine our hearts and ask whether we are building gates or opening doors to God’s kingdom. [09:30]
5. Christ is Found at the Gate Jesus is not distant or abstract; he is present in the faces of the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized. To follow him is to recognize his presence in those the world overlooks and to respond with compassion and dignity. Our faith is proven not by what we profess, but by how we love the “Lazarus” at our own gates. ** [15:39]