City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

²⁵ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.

Luke 16:25 (NLT)

Aisha’s Analysis

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a story of extremes. The unnamed rich man had it all and Lazarus had nothing, yet both were not living their best lives. The rich man put his identity in his possessions and pleasure. Lazarus had a name but was living in poverty and squalor. I dare to say that neither scenario was God’s perfect will for their lives. 

When death, the great equalizer, came to claim them, they experienced vastly different outcomes in eternity. Why? Here is the key: they both got what they were putting their trust in. The rich man was putting his trust in himself and what he had, and that’s exactly what he got. He became a prisoner to himself, unable to find any relief. The truth is we were never made to be self-sufficient. We need God and we need others. What we have will never truly satisfy us. If all we have is Self, that is a hell all on its own. Paradoxically, it is only in losing ourselves in God that we discover our true identity. 

Conversely, Lazarus was putting his trust in God’s mercy. He recognized the insufficiency of himself and was comforted in the hope that awaited him in eternity, and that’s exactly what he got. 

Now I do want to qualify this with my personal opinion from my own interpretation of scripture, that I don’t think it’s a sin to be rich, nor do I think that being poor is a virtue. I honestly don’t even think that’s an issue here in this parable. What is of great importance, however, is to find out where your trust really is. Ultimately, that is what will determine your outcome.

Application

How can you know what you are putting your trust in? Here are some clues. Where are you spending your time and your resources? What are you thinking about constantly? Where do you find comfort in life’s disappointing moments? Who do you praise in life’s celebratory moments? Are you grateful to God or do you feel like He owes you something? 

After asking yourself those questions and answering them honestly, redirect your trust completely in God. Make a bold decision to obey God as a symbol of your trust and devotion to Him. View your life today in the light of eternity.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for bridging the great chasm between us with the cross of Christ. It’s in Christ alone I want to place all my trust. Help me let go of the temporal that I may receive the eternal more fully every day. Let Your perfect love for me and the truth of Your Word direct my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.