Who wishes to be rich? After hearing the parable of Lazarus and Dives, the rich man, one might have second thoughts about aspiring to be rich (Lk 16:19-31). Dives, the rich man, who ate his fill and enjoyed the luxuries of this world afforded to him by his riches, ended in the netherworld, where he was in torment. Lazarus, the poor man, after his death, ended up at the side of Abraham, enjoying the bliss of paradise. It seems riches placed Dives in hell, while poverty delivered Lazarus to heaven. But if this is true, who would wish to be rich?
Riches and poverty do not automatically assign us to our final destination. Rich people are not inevitably bound to hell. Heaven is not certain for the poor. One's situation in life does not dictate where one will end up in the next life. It is one's manner of living (whatever lot is given to him) that will direct where one will continue his life in the world-without-end. Thus, status in life, whether rich or poor, is beside the point in relation to one's final destiny. One will not be judged by the amount in his bank account (if ever there is one).
More than being rich and poor, one may pay attention to his capacity to love his neighbor; to see his neighbor's suffering, and do something to alleviate such misery. The response may not be grand, as one’s resources limit it, but what is greatly appreciated is the response itself (it is the thought that counts). Contribution or assistance of the rich may differ in scale from that of the poor, but both assistances are surely valued and can merit one a place at the side of Abraham. On the contrary, insensitivity, even blindness, towards one's neighbor will certainly earn one's ticket to the netherworld. It is this insensitivity that condemned Dives to hell. Insensitivity is not exclusive among the rich, for all can possibly be unresponsive to the needs of one's neighbor.
The Lord condemns such thoughtlessness of one's neighbor: Thus says the LORD the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall...yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph (Am 6:1a, 4-7). Those who were complacent in Zion may not necessarily be rich but those who are indifferent to the difficulties of their neighbor. Such complacency may have been motivated by selfishness; thinking only of one's needs and comforts. This blinded them to the things that truly matter for the Lord, and for them too, eventually.
Paul rightly admonished Timothy to chase those things that really matter (in following Christ): You, man of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness... to keep the commandment without stain or reproach (1 Tm 6:11-16). This can be realized neither by one's self nor by paying attention to one's needs only. It is through and with one's neighbor that one can be fully and truly righteous, devoted, faithful, loving, patient, and gentle. The neighbor in need is not only there to benefit from those who are able in life. He gives the opportunity for one to learn and live out valuable lessons that matter in the Kingdom of God; to those in need one can be generous; to those who are obstinate one can be patient; to those who are traitorous one can show faithfulness; to those who are angry one can be loving. Seeing and being with one's neighbor can be a bridge toward the Kingdom.
Riches and poverty will not count in heaven, but the manner one treated his neighbor. Dives may have seen Lazarus in his lifetime, but he was too busy in his own life. When he was in need in the netherworld, it was then that he acknowledged Lazarus in his life. But seeing Lazarus in heaven, from hell, Dives may have realized (rather Abraham made him realize) it was too late. He had his time and opportunity, but he wasted them all, seeing only himself.
Whom do you see?
Do you see the Lazaruses around you?
Will you care for them?
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