The Rich Man’s Wealth and His Untrustworthy Stewardship

In today’s Gospel (Luke 16:19–31), Jesus tells us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It is important to notice that it was not the wealth of the rich man that kept him from Abraham’s bosom. Wealth is not condemned. What condemned him was his untrustworthy stewardship. He failed to see that what he possessed was entrusted to him by God for the good of others. Lazarus lay at his gate every day, not hidden, not far away, but at his very door. The rich man did not cross a continent to ignore him; he simply stepped over him. Even in torment, the rich man’s heart had not changed. He still saw Lazarus as his errand boy: “Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water,” and later, “Send him to my father’s house.” He never addressed Lazarus directly. He never acknowledged him as a brother. The same indifference that marked his earthly life followed him into eternity. His stewardship had shaped his soul. It is striking that Lazarus might have been surprised that the rich man remembered his name. On earth, the rich man had likely never spoken it. Yet in the afterlife, he knows it. This reveals something painful: he was not ignorant of Lazarus’ identity or suffering. He simply chose not to act. His sin was not lack of awareness, but lack of compassion. The rich man calls Abraham “Father.” They are related by blood, descendants of the same patriarch. But blood relationship alone does not guarantee salvation. True kinship with Abraham is spiritual, it is to trust in God and live according to His covenant. As Jeremiah reminds us, “Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings… Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.” The rich man trusted in comfort and status, not in God. He was like chaff driven by the wind, while Lazarus, though poor and afflicted, was like a tree planted beside running water. Finally, Abraham’s words are sobering: “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” Even resurrection will not convince hearts that are closed. Miracles do not create faith where there is no disposition to listen. Conversion begins with attentive obedience to God’s Word. This parable invites us to examine our stewardship. What has God placed at our gate? Who lies within our reach? Wealth, influence, education, ministry, all are gifts entrusted to us. Salvation is not about what we have, but about how faithfully we use it in love.