“Why We Can’t Wait” – Luke 16:19-31 – September 30, 2007

Did you know that the color purple is the color of choice for fashion lovers? In the Life section of the Dayton Daily News, (September 22, 2007) there was an article entitled, “Purple Reigns.” Fashion experts have determined that the color purple is the “in” color for this fall. Amelia Robinson said, “It’s a decadent color, vibrant and regal. The same shade of purple can make you think of the royals or a vineyard teeming with succulent grapes.” Department stores and dress shops are already displaying clothing in purple. But before you rush off to your favorite store to purchase that purple outfit, you might want to read this story in Luke.

In that society a rich man who wore purple meant he was a high-ranking official or member of a royal family. He lived in a house with gates for privacy and security. His house was completely separate from the riffraff of society. He had everything a man could want.

After the rich man died he found himself on the opposite side of the “in” group. The story takes place in the after life. The man ended up in Hades, where he was tormented. He found himself on the wrong side of a great chasm with no way of getting to the other side. On the other side was Abraham and a man named Lazarus. Since the rich man was thirsty, he begged Abraham to have Lazarus bring him a cool drink.

But Abraham said, “No.” It was too late. Not even the folks on “What not to wear,” or “Project Runway” could rescue the man dressed in purple. The distance between them was too far. It was impossible to extend to him any help. The rich man was desperate. If he couldn’t be helped, perhaps his five brothers could be helped. Once again he begged Abraham to warn them so that they wouldn’t end up on the wrong side of the great divide too. But, Abraham said he couldn’t do that. “They have Moses and the prophets,” he said. “All they need to do is listen to them.”

In other words, his brothers had what they needed to live in the kingdom of God. What exactly did Moses say that Jesus was referring to? He said, “Do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.” (Deut. 15:7-8) Moses also said, “Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you.” (Deut. 15:10) And, the words of the prophets were equally clear. “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them?” (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Fiorello LaGuardia, one-time mayor of New York, was presiding at police court on a bitterly cold day. A trembling old man was brought in, arrested for stealing a loaf of bread. His family, the old man said, was starving. LaGuardia said, "The law gives me no choice. I have to fine you ten dollars." Then LaGuardia pulled ten dollars out of his own wallet and said, "Here's the ten dollars to pay your fine. Now I remit the fine. He dropped the ten into his famous hat and declared," I hereby fine everybody in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a man has to steal bread in or order to eat. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to this defendant!" The hat was passed and the old man, his face aglow, left the courtroom with forty-seven dollars and fifty cents. (from Jerry Fuller, Deacon Sil)

I don’t believe that anyone in our community has been fined for not helping their neighbor. But, when is the last time you really got close to someone whom you did not know and met them face to face? Jesus was obviously encouraging the disciples to be good neighbors. We know that as people of faith that the “golden rule” is a given. But, Jesus was talking about something deeper than just giving aid to the poor.

The problem with the rich man was that he never saw Lazarus. Here was a man who he passed by thousands of times. But his self-centeredness blinded his vision. Ironically Lazarus is named in the story but the rich man has no name. This further illustrates the point that the rich man should have taken the time to get to know Lazarus personally. Had he perceived him as a human being who was just as deserving of God’s love as anyone else, he would have connected with him on earth. But since the rich man was indifferent to the presence of Lazarus it is now impossible for him to connect to him in the next life.

The rich man made no attempt to connect to Lazarus. He didn’t inquire about his needs. He didn’t intervene on his behalf. He didn’t even bother to have a conversation with him. He never troubled himself to look into the eyes of Lazarus and acknowledge his existence. He was above getting close. Ironically in the after life we find him wanting Abraham to have Lazarus come to him. The rich man saw Lazarus as a servant, someone who should do things for him.

We forget that our lives are intertwined with people around the world. When we put on our clothes do we realize how many of them have been made by people in sweat shops in India or Thailand? When we eat vegetables, like strawberries and tomatoes, do we realize that some Hispanic immigrant picked them?

When I was in the Navy I had the privilege of being an officer. Many of the stewards aboard ship were from the Philippines. One of my men, named Eduardo, was from the mountain region East of Manila. While we were in port in Subic Bay, he hiked over 50 miles inland to see his family. When he returned he had a beautifully carved wooden cake pan and he gave it to me as a gift. It was made by his family. I realized for the first time in my life that people of other nationalities have families and they also have a love ethic.

We officers weren’t supposed to fraternize with enlisted men. But, Eduardo and I formed a relationship which made my life in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War far more bearable.

To interact with another human being means we have to move toward them. We have to enter their world and create a relationship. Jesus wants his disciples to do more than just see those who have need. He wants us to see them as persons who are also children of God.

It is easy to criticize the rich man for being selfish. You can hear folks say, “He got just what he deserved. If he hadn’t been so obsessed with his purple clothes, he could be on the same side of the chasm as Lazarus.”

I believe that the average church person goes out of their way to help people they know. We do all we can to insure that our relatives and friends have what they need. I also believe that most of us are willing to help our neighbors and that we give to charitable organizations that help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. But, how often do we really get to know people in a personal way? To develop a relationship with someone we do not know can be a life-changing experience.

Jesus was telling his disciples, both then and now, that we have everything we need that is necessary for salvation. We have the word of God through Moses and the prophets and we have Jesus, who modeled a life of compassion and mercy. We know we are to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” And most every believer can be proud of their volunteerism, their generosity and their response to those who have special needs.

We know what to do, but we still hold back. Perhaps we are afraid if we help others there won’t be enough for ourselves. Perhaps we are reluctant to get involved because we might get hurt. Or perhaps getting close to someone who has needs might be disgusting and dirty.

It was too late for the rich man to connect to Lazarus but it is not too late for us. We are still in the world. We can still see the Lazarus’s of our time just waiting to be loved.

In the late '80s, Wendie Malick had moved to L.A., after working as a fashion model in Europe. Although her career as an actress was starting to take off, she was still unhappy. " One day her best friend, the actress, Mary Kay Place, called her and said, “I'm going on this trip with the Brentwood Presbyterian Church. We're building houses in Tijuana. Why don't you come and work with us?” Malick tried to put her off. She said, “I'm not a Presbyterian and I'm not a builder. I don't know what I can do to help.” But Place insisted: "Show up and get dirty. Maybe you'll learn something." That trip began a transformation that has meant more to Malick than her four Cable ACE Awards, her hit TV series or her film work. She met Richard Erickson, an L.A. builder who introduced her to a new passion: bringing housing and medical care to people in Africa and Mexico. (from: Michael Ryan, "I was blessed with a sense of balance," Parade, January 21, 2001)

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio