There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Luke 16: 19-21
Recently, I traveled with my daughter on a semi-truck to Uganda, Guatemala and the Philippines and it did not cost me a dime. We went on a journey to these third world countries via a Compassion Experience. Our eyes were opened and tables overturned as we walked through various rooms while a monologue detailed the journey of children emerging out of poverty. Along with their families, these children were radically transformed due to the generosity of individuals who sponsored a child with Compassion International. These moving testimonies revealed how tables were filled while lives were transformed.
Story is a powerful tool to communicate truth and challenge the spirit of man to action. Jesus shared numerous parables to articulate truth. Many of His stories involved food and feasting. One in particular involved a rich man, a poor man, a table and some scraps. The rich man always feasted sumptuously at a table. The poor man desired to eat the scraps from the rich man’s table. Each one had a final destination where the tables turned. The poor man rose to heaven and began feasting at the table with Abraham while the rich man was burning and begging on the floors of Hell.
The rich man continued begging for the truth about life’s end to be told his five brothers who were still living. In his anguish, his eyes were opened to the truth. Abraham responds to his pleas, “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” (Luke 16:29) He responds pleading again that if someone goes to them from the dead they will listen. Abraham responds again, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)
My table never lacks food – I am blessed. I also regularly feast on God’s word. However, do I desire to feed others? How can I help the poor around me? God’s word is here to challenge, convict and guide me to truth. It’s truth should lead me to action. I have more than enough at my table to feed my family and others. Sometimes I need my table overturned to see the scraps I can easily give away. The table in heaven is already set, the goal is for more people to feast with Abraham.
Sumptuous. Scraps. Anguish. Blessings. Feast.
What am I feasting on? How can my “scraps” be used to feed others?