What was the rich man’s sin?  While Jesus says that “at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus,” He does not say that the rich man is personally responsible for Lazarus’ poverty. Nor is there any suggestion that the rich man abused Lazarus. Why then, does he end up “in Hades, where he was being tormented”?  

Given the layout of an ancient city, there was no way that the rich man could get into his house each day without just about walking over Lazarus.  He would literally have to step over the man every time he entered or exited his house.

Yet the rich man was so oblivious to Lazarus‘ difficulty that he did even less to ease his burdens than the stray dog’s who licked his sores.  This is an awful example of a “sin of omission” – not doing something that one should have done.

This parable draws a vivid picture of the haves and the have nots of this world, and promises a reversal of fortunes in the next.  It ends on a tragic note: there are those who are headed for distinction because they enjoy luxuries while others starve, and not even a person coming back from the dead will be able to shake their indifference and complacency.

Jesus proposes this rich man as an example of what we are not to do with our money: spend it for our own pleasures, while others want for necessities.  It also raises the question: Are we also nearsighted when it comes to the needs and suffering of others?  Do we really hear and heed Jesus’ exhortation to give alms (help the needy) in order to lay up treasure in Heaven. This is a challenging question for us to think about.

God Bless