To Share Or Not To Share?

In a world that knows the abundance, of having more than enough.  This reading from Luke can be hard to swallow.  Because it challenges us to look at our own life style and  living habits.  In many ways it asks us to look at the side of our lives that possibly could be less than attractive.  

It is a story about how well we genuinely care about others.  How we actually share with others!  Possibly how we tend to share only what drops from our table.  

Only the “crumbs” that are left over!

And it tells us, in no uncertain terms, what happens to those who only share their crumbs.  

The analogy is fairly clear!  We, knowingly or not, chose our fate!  We reap what we have sown!  Or as my mom use to say, “we make our bed and then we have to sleep in it.”

Let me add another thought from Jesus theology, that tugs at my heart: 

“What you do to the least of these, you do to me.”(Matt. 15)

What we don’t share, on earth, is our reward. A reward only known here on earth!  And if the crumbs are all we share, we end up like the rich man after our physical death.

Sound harsh?  Maybe!

Now maybe you are one who doesn’t believe in the realm of hell.  So you are tempted to resist the story altogether.  Or see it another way!  That is certainly your privilege!  But the real issue is not whether there is a hell or not.  The issue is actually about our ability to be generous with our blessings.

Full disclosure! This issue of sharing comes very hard for me.  I became a single mom, in my early forties.  And felt I needed to watch my pennies for fear of future insecurity.  I was not a good sharer before that!  But it got more apparent with two daughters to care for.  I am not at all proud of that.  My heart, however, never stopped being effected by those in need.  I prayed for them constantly!  But still felt guilty for my actions.  So I spent years praying that God would make me a better giver.  

I offer that truth, not as a confession, because God knows it is true.  I offer this information so you will not think I stand in judgment of anyone else.  This way, we can all hear the same message together in our own space of grace.  

The point of the story?   The Dogs!  

“…even the dogs wold come and lick his sores.”

The rich man, who had everything!  All that he needed and more!  Did not care for “the least!”  Nor did he care about the dogs. 

Think about that for a moment!

The dogs cared for Lazarus by licking — using their natural ability — to heal Lazarus’ wounds.  

The thought that occurs to me is:  the story does not say that the dogs ate the crumbs that “fell form the Rich man’s table.”   Something dogs, at least my dog, would surely do. 

It would be wise to think about the fact that the dogs cared for Lazarus better than the one who had so much.  

I wonder, what would Jesus want us to be listening to here?

Is he trying to scare us into sharing our wealth by telling this story of what happed to the rich man?

Possibly!  

But somehow I don’t think that is the main point!  More to the point, it has to do with our segued view of our own need!

Or possibly it has to do with our misguided understanding of abundance.  Because somehow we have come to believe that “more” is “better.”  Maybe this mentality has grown out of the lessons that were born during the Great Depression years:

Save!

Re-use!

          Be fugal!

      Don’t Waste!

That indeed could have an influence on todays generations.  However this story was told long before the Great Depression. 

I’m thinking it has more to do with the infant mentality Freud talked so much about.  The natural tendency to satisfy our wants. That has now been extended, and connected closely to, our needs.

I think Jesus knew this tendency and was trying to push, those who would listen, past that infant mentality of self.  He was/is trying to teach us a very basic lesson about how God first envisioned his creation working.

A design meant for each creature, animal or human.   To look after!  Take care of!  The other! 

I do not believe that God ever intended his creation to suffer or lack nourishment.

The point of this little story is not abundance!

That point is the crumbs!  The leftovers! that were not truly enough for his brother Lazarus’ needs.  

What would it have cost, the rich man, to have offer a meal?  Or a band aid?  Or some ointment, for Lazarus’ sores?   

19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. 24 He called out, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' 25 But Abraham said, "Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' 27 He said, "Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' 29 Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' 30 He said, "No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31 He said to him, "If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' “(Luke 16)