March 30 | Luke 16:19-31
- Elaine Pierce
- Mar 30
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
A Life Well Lived
By Elaine Pierce
For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
It's so easy to judge people by what they wear, isn't it? You've all heard the saying "dress for the job you want." If you show up to work looking like you just got out of bed, your boss won't be too happy. Sundays used to be a day when families dressed up: men in suits, women wearing dresses and, often, hats, and children in smaller versions of their parents' clothes.
But is that what Jesus is talking about in this passage? Is it all about appearance? Lazarus, the beggar, certainly was not pleasant to look at: covered in sores, probably emaciated from hunger, while the rich man "lived in luxury every day." Two more opposite pictures could not be painted of wealth and poverty. Lazarus had a life of misery, at least to those of us looking at the outward appearance, and the rich man had a life of ease and wealth.
Jesus knew what was in each man's heart - a good reminder to us that we don't decide anyone's fate but our own. And, yes, the rich man knew about Moses and the prophets, but he hadn't understood that his salvation was not based on his wealth or even his good works. Lack of knowledge wasn't his problem. It's so easy to rationalize my failure to share Jesus with others because "What If I get it wrong? What if they're offended?" I pray - for you and for me - that God can use us to lead others to saving faith, and that we will rejoice when the angels carry them to heaven, as the angels carried the beggar to Abraham's side.
Yes, heaven and hell are real. There will be a reckoning. And whether or not we are wearing our Sunday finest or whether or not we have memorized scripture or served on church council or served communion or sung in the choir - those are not the final arbiters of our life eternal. Every Sunday before communion, we say together as a congregation "Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again." If we say those words without accepting Jesus as our savior, they are hollow and meaningless. Yes, he died. For me. For you. He rose from the dead - for me and for you. And he will come again, and what a glorious day that will be!
PRAYER
Lord, I long to serve you fully, but so often I get caught up in how I appear to others that I lose sight of what's important. Help me to live each day for you, and to set my priorities to yours. You died for my sins, and your grace and mercy are beyond compare. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAINE PIERCE
It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!
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