What’s this strange story in Luke 16 really about?
In a brilliant article on The Rich Man and Lazarus by Australian theologian Thorvald Lorenzen (Expository Times 1975 – http://ext.sagepub.com/content/87/2/39.full.pdf or go to a theological library for a free view) asks:
‘What was the rich man’s sin? Not that he was rich! Not that he had consciously decided against God! His failure was *lovelessness*.’
(Lorenzen goes on to assert that this story is less about the after-life than what we do or don’t do for the poor in this life. Worth pondering).
~~~~
More:
His problem is not primarily what he did, but what he did not do! He ignored Lazarus because he did not see him…
The bible often talks about God’s love for the poor and sick, and Jesus’ ministry is directed to these people.
The rich man enjoyed his riches without realizing his responsibility… Love gives eyes to see the wounds which need to be bound; love gives ears to hear the silent call for help; love gives hands to support, and a mouth to console, where the burdens of life become too heavy for someone.
This reminds me of the surprising sin of Sodom identified in Ezekiel 16:49 – Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.