last Sunday at 6 PM the scripture were about riches, and laziness

Well that's my angle today.

We start out with Amos who speaks of ease. "Alas for those who are at ease in Zion." ... "Are you better than these? (the kingdoms around you)" "O you that put far away the evil day, and bring near the reign of violence? Alas for those who lie on beds of ivory, and lounge on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the stall; who sing idle songs to the songs of the harp... who drink wine from bowls, and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! Therefore they shall now be the first to go into exile, and the revelry of loungers shall pass away."

When we think that prosperity is always from God, we need to think twice. These people were not responsible. Prosperity without responsibility is laziness. And it will inevitably going to bring ruin.

Then we move on to 1 Timothy: "As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life."

This is so great. Read it over again. The rich are not to be haughty because it is God that gives every good gift. We quickly lose the mark when we start thinking we deserve all these luxuries, after all we worked hard for them. But God gave you the abilities that allowed you to succeed and the healthy to carry out all the work. He gave you people to help you, people to teach you along the way. He gave you clients or patients or whatever to pay you so that you could earn your income. No we must never forget how God is the source of all the good we have, give him thanks, and stay humble.

So then we should give back by doing good works and being generous. This is not the same as paying taxes and expecting the government to do the good works. They are very inefficient and impersonal in their handling of services. We must be involved as much as we can personally.

Finally true life, true riches are spiritual in nature. The riches of this earth are only temporary. Spiritual riches, spiritual blessings are forever. We minimize them because we cannot see them with our eyes. It takes faith to see them. We must have faith.

The last scripture is from Luke the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. This is the only parable using the name of someone mentioned elsewhere. At least I guess Jesus is using the name of his friend who he raised from the dead.

We probably know this parable. The rich man is doing the opposite of when Paul tells Timothy. He is not generous. He is like the people of Amos' time. He is enjoying his riches while ignoring all those in need around him.

Jesus is warning that it will all be reversed in heaven. And he tells them we have sufficient warning now. We have Moses and the prophets. We have Jesus and Paul. If we do not repent now we can expect judgment.

Having all we need and a lot more gives us an opportunity to help others. Let us not think we deserve to rest but take time, go out of our way, to help others in need.