The parable of the rich man and Lazarus is not really about money. It is about much more than that. There may not be many Donald Trumps in the world, but appeals to greed and the desire for self-indulgence abound, especially in advertising. Jesus wants disciples to see the great spiritual danger in that path.
The account is an example story, not a parable. It pictures reality through a two-character story that mirrors life. “The rich man” is never named. He is nameless because he represents the danger of wealth. He could be anyone. The name of the second character, Lazarus, is derived from Eleazar, which means “God helps.” He is the only named character in any of Jesus’ example stories or parables.
Two people and two contrasting sets of life circumstances drive this story. On the surface the rich man has all the cards and all life’s blessings, while Lazarus has nothing. The rich man is “in” with style, while Lazarus is definitely “out.” But often the way we read circumstances and the way God does are not the same.
The story’s initial impression is clear: the rich man has a great life, while the poor man does not. The rich man throws away food; the poor man must scrounge for it. Observing this scene, we might well conclude that God has blessed the rich man, while the poor man must be the object of God’s judgment. Lazarus must be lazy or sinful, paying for his depravity with his destitution. But the parable will show that appearances can be deceiving. Jesus’ parables often come with a twist.
In this parable Lazarus never speaks. His situation is so pathetic that no one would likely hear him if he did. Here is dire need that the rich man could easily meet, even with leftovers sticking to a discarded finger towel. The ancient finger towel was used to wipe up the last bites of bread and gravy. After use it was often thrown out or given to dogs. Lazarus would have regarded such a tossed-out napkin as a feast, a generous, life-comforting gift.
This parable is not about money. It is about roots, the roots of our heart. Where do they reach? What nourishes them? Are our roots tied to earthly treasure? Are we looking to line the walls of our life with things and leisure? Are we too busy to notice the screams of human desperation? Or are the roots of our life drawing from the spiritual well of God’s concern and compassion, which ministers comfort to a world in pain?
The parable exposes our values as it now considers Lazarus from an eternal perspective. Some time has passed– how much is not said. The rich man and Lazarus have both died. Each has a ticket for a permanent destination, one that money cannot buy. Who is “in” and who is “out” now, and why? A remarkable reversal has taken place. Now Lazarus is in and the rich man is out. Divine riches do not take notice of earthly wealth or social status.
This parable is ultimately about the heart. Where our treasure is, there our heart is. Where is our treasure being stored? Jesus says, “Healthy seed reflecting God’s desire is not planted in riches. Rather, it should penetrate the heart and be planted into people, especially people in need.” Jesus warns that treasure invested for the self yields emptiness, while treasure invested for God yields compassion.
Father Peter Karam