Amos 9:1a, 4-7
Although this reading is several chapters after last week’s reading, but it goes right along with it. As you may recall from last week, Amos was a prophet to the northern kingdom called Israel. It was also known by other names, such as Jacob, Samaria, etc. The rich were getting richer, and the poorer getting poorer. Those who were successful were insensitive to the needs o the less fortunate around them. Amos is called in to alert them to their failure to show God’s love to the disadvantaged. This week’s reading is aimed squarely at the insensitive rich. This is God’s judgement on them.
Archaeologists have indeed found beds of ivory in large homes in Samaria. The surrounding settlements have much smaller homes—these were the homes of the poor. Through Amos, God tells these people that their luxurious life will be short-lived. Amos was calling for repentance. But his prophecies fell on deaf ears. Not long after, Babylonian armies came to destroy Israel, kill some, and cart off others.
Things are no different today. For example, over the past 12 years, executive salaries have increased by a factor of 10, 20, or more. Yet, the minimum wage has remained unchanged. Beds are no longer made of ivory, but homes in resort towns are getting larger and more numerous. While being wealthy is not itself sinful, it often leads people away from God’s desire to share our blessings with those less fortunate.
1 Timothy 6:6-19
THE BACKGROUND
In this letter to his beloved friend Timothy, Paul gives him some wise advice that would be good for all of us to heed.
THE DETAIL
- We are encouraged to ascribe to that winning combination of godliness and contentment. We are told to be satisfied with what we have. (vv. 6-8)
- We are cautioned of the risk that comes from seeking wealth. Calling wealth “the root of all evil” is a little strong, but it is not wrong. Paul lists for us some of the temptations that come from achieving financial success. I’m sure that you can think of a few other traps that wealthy Christians might fall into. Instead, Paul urges us to shun the pursuit of riches, and focus on godliness, faith, love, etc. (vv. 9-12)
- Paul then recalls the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. (vv. 13-16)
- Paul closes by telling us that if we are indeed rich, we should focus on being humble. We should set our hopes on the riches of life in Christ, rather than the uncertainty of riches. (vv. 17-19)
THE TAKEAWAY
Last week, we touched on the humanized idol of Mammon—the god of riches. You may recall that Jesus said that it is more difficult for a rich man to pass through the eye of a needle than to go to heaven. He did not say it was impossible; it was simply going to be darned difficult. Oftentimes, when people acquire wealth, their values change. The “god” of Mammon takes precedence over living in Christ Jesus. It takes a strong person to resist this temptation. Our call is to not lose our focus, which is living as humble servants to the Lord, sharing our abundance with others less fortunate.
Luke 16:19-31
THE BACKGROUND
The sixteenth chapter of Luke consists of two parables about the rich. We studied the first one last week. This week, we study the second. In between, verse 14 states that when the Pharisees heard the first parable, they made fun of Jesus, because “they were lovers of money”. So, Jesus responds with the parable that we will study today.
THE DETAIL
- This is the story of a rich man (who remains nameless) and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man lives a lavish life, and feasts daily. People of this stature were expected to share their scraps and excess with the poor. Many dwellings even had benches outs them for the poor to wait on. But Lazarus got nothing from this man. (vv. 19-21)
- In the story, both die. Lazarus goes “to be with father Abraham”, a Jewish concept of heaven popular at the time. The rich man goes to Hades (hell). (vv. 22-23)
- The rich man’s pleas for mercy go unheeded. Finally, he begs father Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. And here’s the irony in the story: Abraham tells the rich man that his brothers have all they need to know, to behave in a God-pleasing way. They won’t change their ways “even if someone raises from the dead.” Jesus is obviously talking about the stubbornness of the Pharisees. He is probably aware that they will not change their attitudes, even after he is raised from the dead in the weeks ahead. (vv. 24-31)
THE TAKEAWAY
Now, we all know that our salvation does not come from doing charitable works, but by the blood of our Lord Jesus on the cross. Since our faith is pinned to the cross, our actions should follow accordingly. Just before this parable, in verse 15, Jesus says “…but God knows your hearts; for what is prized by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God.” We have always admired the wealthy members of our society, but God could care less. He is concerned about what is in our hearts. He expects everyone to act with love and compassion to everyone, regardless of their social or financial status.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Could God have higher expectations for those with greater blessings?