Anglican Devotional 11 July 2023 – Always Consider The Less-Privileged

 The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 11 July 2023 – Always Consider The Less-Privileged

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TOPIC: Always Consider The Less-Privileged

READ: Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)

19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;

23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

THE MESSAGE:

The rich man in today’s passage was so concerned about himself that he could not see the need to take care of poor Lazarus who constantly struggled for crumbs that fell from his table. He had everything in excess but he was not mindful of the poor man around him. At the end, both the rich and poor men died and faced their eternal realities.

Beloved, you must always remember the less-privileged. Some Christians think that until they have all things in abundance like the rich man in our text today, they cannot give to others. This is a wrong way to live as children ofGod. Anyone who cannot share from his little will find it difficult to part with anything even when he has much. Eternal damnation awaits those who are selfish and inconsiderate of the less-privileged around them (Matthew 25:41-46). In spite of the challenge in terms of ascertaining those who are genuinely in need in society today, Christians must prayerfully discern and perform the duty of giving to the less-privileged. The rich man enjoyed his wealth on earth but had himself to blame eternally. Beware!

Prayer: Almighty God, Giver of all good gifts, help me to always think of others in whatever I may have. Amen.