Saturday, 20 March 2021
Title: Reverse Fortunes
By: Chan Yew Thai

The rich man and Lazarus – Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)

In his lifetime, the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen having sumptuous meals daily was in an enviable position while Lazarus, a beggar at his gate, who was covered with sores and wished to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table was in the opposite. As Pastor Mark Tan mentioned in his devotion on the same scripture that death is the greatest equaliser. When they both died, their fortunes were reversed. The rich man could not bring any of his wealth with him, neither could he buy himself a place where Father Abraham and Lazarus were. In the same way, Lazarus could not bring his sores and misery with him.

WHY?

The second commandment according to Jesus in Matthew 22:39 is “Love your neighbour as yourself.”

While he was alive, the rich man had no compassion or love for others. Seeing Lazarus at his gate yet, he did not even give Lazarus the leftover of his meals. He could have done this act of kindness without having to go out of his way as Lazarus was at his gate, neither would it cost him anything. His actions tell us that he had not obeyed the second commandment. He probably found security in his wealth and position, and did not believe or trust in God till it was too late. Besides, he must have enjoyed life so much that he had forgotten that there is an end to life.

On the contrary, Lazarus must have been a godly man who suffered in silence. Scripture did not tell us that he complained or cursed his situation or the rich man who would not even share the leftover of his meal.

Upon their death, the rich man was in Hades being tormented while Lazarus was at the side of Abraham enjoying eternal life.

In Matthew 25:45-46, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” This passage does not imply that our salvation is by works. Salvation is by grace through faith. It is saying, that having the Holy Spirit indwelling in us we will have the heart of Jesus to be compassionate, merciful, and loving which means it should move us to help others in need.

Matthew 25:45-46 further affirms the seriousness of the second commandment, and as believers with transformed lives, we are to have compassion for those in need. Brothers and Sisters, may we not harden our hearts like the rich man who did not move a finger to help the needy person. In this current situation, with the Covid-19 pandemic many have lost their jobs or businesses. May we do our little bit, whether financial or physical, to help relieve the pain of those found in such circumstances, lest on Judgement Day we are sent by the King into eternal punishment.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for being callous and oblivious to the sufferings around us. May You open our eyes and hearts to the needs in our midst. May we be compassionate for those in need and do our part to help others. May we learn to share the burden of family and friends and lend a shoulder so that no one need to suffer alone. By these simple acts, may many come to know You and Your name be glorified. In Your mighty name we pray. Amen.

每日灵粮
星期六，2021年3月20日
题目：逆境
作者：陈有娣
翻译：林良億

有钱人和拉撒路 – 路加福音16：19-31

在他一生中，穿紫色袍和细麻布衣服的富人每天都吃着丰盛的饭菜，这是令人羡慕的位置。相反的，乞丐拉撒路身生疮，被人放在财主门口，希望能吃富人家桌子掉下来的碎屑。正如陈燕靖传道在对同一经文的分享中所提到的那样，死亡是最大的平衡器。当他们俩都去世时，他们的命运被扭转了。那个有钱人不能带上他的任何财富，也不能给花钱买亚伯拉罕和拉撒路所在的地方。同样，拉撒路也无法带走他的疮痛和痛苦。

为什么？

耶稣在马太福音22:39中的第二条诫命是“爱邻舍如己。”

富翁在世时，对别人没有同情心或爱心。看到拉撒路在门口，他甚至没有给拉撒路剩下的饭菜。他本可以很简单做这种善举，因为拉撒路就在门口，他也不必付出任何代价。他的举动告诉我们他没有遵守第二条诫命。他可能在自己的财富和地位上找到了安全感，直到为时已晚，才信靠上帝。此外，他一定过得很愉快，以至于忘记了生命的终结是不能避免的。

相反，拉撒路一定是一个虔诚的人，在沉默中受苦。圣经没有告诉我们他诅咒自己的处境或抱怨富人不愿分享他剩下的饭菜。

他们死后，富翁在阴间受痛苦，遭受折磨，而拉撒路在亚伯拉罕的身边享受着永生。

耶稣在马太福音25：45-46中说：“谁是忠心有见识的仆人，为主人所派管理家里的人，按时分粮给他们呢？主人来到，看见他这样行，那仆人就有福了。“ 这段经文并不意味着我们的得救是靠行为完成的。救恩是凭着信心得到的恩典。就是说，有了圣灵住在我们里面，我们就会有耶稣的心 — 充满同情心，仁慈和爱心，这意味着圣灵应该感动我们来帮助需要帮助的人。

马太福音25：45-46进一步肯定了第二条诫命的严重性，作为一个重生信徒，我们应该对有需要的人有同情心。兄弟姐妹们，也许我们像富人那样硬了心，连一根手指也不动，不帮助有需要的人。在当前形势，新冠肺炎疫情使许多人失业或商业倒闭。愿我们尽力而为，减轻在这种情况下的痛苦，以免我们在审判日被君王送入永恒的刑罚。

祷告：亲爱的主耶稣，请原谅我们对周围的苦难无动以衷。愿你开我们的眼和心， 让我们能够看到我们当中的需求。愿我们对有需要的人充满同情心，并尽己力帮助他人。愿我们学会分担家人和朋友的重担，并肩负起重担，这样就没有人需要一个人受苦了。通过这些简单举动，也让许多人认识你，并且荣耀了你的圣名。我们以你大能之名祈祷，阿们。