‘Last Generation’
Luke 16:20-21 But there was a certain beggar named
Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the
crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked
his sores.
Lazarus is blessed
because he made himself poor by denying himself of all worldly possessions,
wisdom, abilities, qualifications, for the sake of his spiritual man so that he
can follow our Lord Jesus Christ without distraction.
Mat 5:3 “Blessed
are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to
come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow
Me.”
Just like Paul who
was persecuted by fellow worldly Christian leaders, Lazarus faithfully carries
his cross daily.
1 Cor 4:10-13 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are
wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we
are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are
poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own
hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we
entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all
things until now.
Even Paul, a rich,
powerful, feared and respected Pharisee before his conversion, was treated as
the filth of the world and a beggar. How much more will Jesus’ disciple,
Lazarus be reviled, humiliated and put to shame by covetous pastors and carnal
brethren.
Mat 5:11-12 “Blessed
are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against
you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great [is] your
reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Mat 10:41-42 “He who receives a prophet in the name of a
prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man
in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And
whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of
a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Brethren, when you give to the poor, needy and ministries,
rejoice for He has given you a chance to be blessed. Also ensure that in your
heart, you have given to His disciples and servants who are faithfully running
His ministries and they are not beggars. Otherwise you may receive a beggar's
reward and this may cause you to borrow money to relief your needs.
James 2:5-9 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not
chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom
which He promised to those who love Him? But you have dishonored the poor man.
Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? Do they not blaspheme
that noble name by which you are called? If you really fulfill the royal law
according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do
well! but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law
as transgressors.
