ESOCS Devotional 18 October 2022
TEXT: LUKE 16:19-31
MEMORY VERSE: “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Take a moment and visualize Lazarus: dirty, old, haggard beggar, dressed in rags with putrefying sores all over him sitting at the gate of a house hungry and deprived, with dogs licking his wounds. This is the image of a man that has no hope in life, no future, and no pleasure. All that life holds for him is misery, pain, and rejection.
Also see the rich man in his magnificent building living in opulence and lacking nothing: driving luxury cars, organizing parties, acquiring properties and many other things that meet his ego needs. This man had so much that he can feed a whole town; he had so much at home that they probably threw away food as is common in such places. Yet, just at his gate was a man who needed just a little food to cushion his biting stomach, and a glass of water to sooth his patched throat. This beggar, sitting at the gate, not far away from food and water, seen daily by the rich man, probably died of starvation and disease.
What will the rich man have lost, if he had given a little to poor Lazarus. What Lazarus needed to have survived and even be comfortable in life was an insignificant part of the rich man’s total wealth. But he would not spare anything for Lazarus, and Lazarus died.
The rich man represents man’s typical attitude to those in need. Most people are not concerned about the problems of others. In many ways, we don’t care even when it is in our power to assist. But from the story, we see that even though we may not care, God cares and is concerned about the situation of the “Lazaruses”. He is pained at their neglect. He is pained that those He has put in their hands the means to help the needy are using it for their personal benefits, satisfying their carnal desires and withholding help from those in need. God requires that we use what He has given us for the benefit of others. To do otherwise is to fail as stewards. We also see in this story the vanity of life, for both shall die and go where material possessions will be of no value. The “Lazaruses” will be comforted; but the wicked steward (the selfish rich person) shall have his part in hell.
CHALLENGES
- Can you identify the things God has given to you that can be helpful to others?
- Is there anyone who you can be of help to change the economic life standard?
PRAYERSLord, give me a compassionate heart. Help me to live my life in such a way as to be a blessing to others. Amen.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 18 October 2022
