Traditional Anglican Sermons: The Meaning Of The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus

Traditional Anglican Sermons

The Meaning Of The Parable Of The Rich Man And Lazarus
Christopher Wordsworth (1774-1846)

Dr Wordsworth is writing about the Parable in Luke 16:19-31, the Gospel reading for the First Sunday after Trinity.

CAN IT be meant, that he who is poor and afflicted in this life, does thereby, in his turn, become the favourite of God in the next, and that the rich man, who rejoices here in the youth, strength, and abundance, which God has given him, must, on that account, be recompensed hereafter by pain and misery? Is it intended that heaven shall be the certain reward of every poor man, and eternal punishment the unavoidable destiny of all the wealthy? Shall it be said to every one of these in the day of judgment, "Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented?"

Are these the everlasting laws and ordinances by which the Almighty Father shall judge the world? No, truly; that cannot be. Lazarus was not rewarded solely because he was poor, and without any other regard to his state or behaviour here: nor was the rich man punished merely because he was rich; nor yet "because he was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day." God forbid. This decision would be contradictory to all other Scripture, and all reason. The Judge of all the earth must do right. There must therefore be some other aim and interpretation of the history, than this to which, at the first sight, it may seem liable.

Jesus, you will observe, had been discoursing to his disciples concerning the right use of riches. By the parable of the unjust steward, he had taught, that we are to consider all our worldly possessions as so many talents and gifts, of which we are the depositaries, and for the use of which we shall hereafter be called upon to render up an account to God: and that, if we manage these aright, and dispense them in good works, and holy offices, according to the divine will, we shall obtain the approbation of our heavenly Master; and, when we die, shall be received by him into everlasting habitations.

After this, Jesus had further proceeded to warn his hearers against the danger and abuse of riches: that we must set our affections on things above, not on things on the earth; that the former must have the pre-eminence and sway in our thoughts and desires: for "no man," says he, "can serve two masters. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." If we have not regarded his purposes of goodness and mercy, in the gift of the unrighteous Mammon, God will never commit to our trust the true riches.

More: Christopher Wordsworth, The First Sunday After Trinity, Wealth And Poverty, Lazarus, Parables, Sermons