But, as a response to the gift, God calls us to live in a way that reflects the eternal life we have been granted. We do not have to answer these questions in a certain way in order to have Jesus cross the chasm and grant us eternal life. How can we be lovers of God and God’s people more than lovers of money? That was the challenge in Jesus’s day, and it remains our challenge today. And at the same time, you can be wealthy and not love that wealth to the point that you set a chasm between yourself and others. You can be middle class and overlook people for the finer things in life. You can be poor and be just as focused on money and love it just as much. And you don’t even need to be rich in order to have the same affliction as the rich man. The problem is his attitude about that money-the position, privilege, and prestige that comes with it. Still, the rich man maintains the chasm between himself and Lazarus. When Abraham informs the rich man that the chasm he has created and maintained between himself and Lazarus is now fixed, the rich man momentarily moves away from worrying only about himself…but only enough to show concern for his five brothers. Lazarus is just a means to relief for the rich man. He knows Lazarus’ name, but doesn’t address him directly. In death, the rich man sees Lazarus with Abraham and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to get him some water. During their lives, dogs had more compassion for Lazarus than did the rich man, The rich man must have seen him regularly at his gate he knew Lazarus’ name. The rich man’s problem is not that he is rich, but that that he is so self-centered and worried about himself that he sees everything (including people) only in terms of how they can benefit him. This is the chasm between those who have a hard time seeing past themselves and those who go unseen, the chasm between the lovers of money and those who lose their lives as a result. And in the following verse, the Gospel of Luke tells us that the Pharisees, “who were lovers of money” were upset and “they ridiculed him” (Luke 16:14, NRSV).Īnd then in this morning’s pericope, Jesus offers this parable about a chasm-the chasm between the rich man and Lazarus. Right before today’s assigned Gospel reading, Jesus clearly says “you cannot serve God and wealth” (Luke 16:13, NRSV). You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings.)įor lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Have you experienced (first or second hand) inequities based on society economic status, race, or some other demographic? What are your thoughts about the government forgiving debt (PPP loans, student loans, etc.)? How many of you are planning to go to college or technical training after high school? Do you know how you will pay for it? As some quoted in the article suggest, this might just be step one toward fixing the inequities in the US educational system. So, although some are rejoicing, there is still more work to be done. Issues of “equity, predatory lending and education” are at work in the wider system and therefore need to be part of the conversation. There is also “the added layer” or race when it comes to student debt the article offers a number of figures illustrating that Black students tend to owe significantly more than white students. In addition, previously instituted loan forgiveness and repayment plans have not been working as they were intended. However, the article points out that many people might not realize how high tuition has gone up relative to the buying power of a dollar. Some who didn’t have to accrue debt or have already paid theirs off don’t find this fair. Millionaires and big corporations got yet another blank check.” Some oppose the plan.įor this last group, the “concept of fairness” has been a common theme in their opposition to student debt forgiveness. Some are excited one person called the plan “literally life-changing.” Others wish it went further, pointing out that “PPP loans, plus interest, were forgiven without question or explanation. Since President Biden’s announcement about the new Student Loan Debt Forgiveness plan, there have been many news stories and articles about the various sides of the issue. What is your unhappiest memory in connection with money?Ī complete list of questions can be found here: ( ) What is your happiest memory in connection with money? How were your attitudes and behaviors about money shaped by the adults in your life? What has your attitude toward money changed as a teenager? How was this influenced by peers or siblings? What is the earliest experience with money that you remember?Īs a child growing up, did you feel rich or poor? Why?
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