Compassion at the Gate: A Call to Action

Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus is a story that disrupts our comfort and challenges our assumptions about wealth, compassion, and responsibility. The contrast between the rich man, clothed in luxury, and Lazarus, suffering at his gate, is not just a tale from the past—it’s a mirror for our own world. The reversal that comes after death is not arbitrary; it is a direct result of how each lived. The rich man’s sin was not his wealth, but his indifference. He saw Lazarus every day and chose to do nothing. This is the heart of the warning: it matters how we live, how we treat those at our gates, and whether we recognize the image of God in our neighbors.

We live in a society where the gap between rich and poor grows ever wider, where it’s easy to insulate ourselves from the needs of others. The story of Lazarus is not just about individual acts of charity, but about a posture of life—one that refuses to step over those in need, one that refuses to close the gate of our hearts. Generosity is not about the size of our bank accounts, but about the openness of our lives. There are examples of those who use their resources for good, but the real danger is forgetting where we came from and ignoring those who suffer.

Community is at the heart of following Jesus. It’s not enough to gather for worship and feel good about ourselves. True faith is lived out in the daily, sometimes inconvenient, acts of love—checking in on a neighbor, supporting those who grieve, sharing in each other’s joys and burdens. Jesus is not distant; he is present in the faces of the hungry, the lonely, the marginalized. The call is to see, to care, and to act—not just with our money, but with our presence and compassion.

We have the teachings of Moses, the prophets, and Christ himself. The question is not whether we know what to do, but whether we will do it. Will we build gates or tables? Will we write checks or offer ourselves? The only treasure that endures is a heart shaped by compassion and hands open in generosity. May we live in such a way that we reflect the grace of Christ, seeing Lazarus at our gates and responding with love.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Indifference is the True Poverty The rich man’s downfall was not his wealth, but his daily choice to ignore Lazarus at his gate. Indifference to the suffering of those right in front of us is a spiritual poverty that distances us from God’s kingdom. True discipleship requires us to see and respond to the needs of our neighbors, not just with words, but with action. [02:46]
• 2. Wealth is a Tool, Not a Fortress Having resources is not inherently wrong; the problem arises when wealth becomes a barrier that insulates us from compassion. Generosity is measured not by the size of our gifts, but by the openness of our hearts and our willingness to remember where we came from. The call is to use what we have to lift others up, not to build higher gates. [06:28]
• 3. Community is More Than Sunday Morning Faith is not confined to worship services or religious rituals. True community is found in the daily acts of care—checking in on one another, sharing joys and sorrows, and being present in each other’s lives. The church is called to be a living network of support, embodying Christ’s love beyond the walls of the sanctuary. [12:18]
• 4. The Danger of Hardened Hearts When we close ourselves off from the needs of others, we not only harm our neighbors but also cut ourselves off from the life God intends for us. Policies, choices, and attitudes that ignore the vulnerable have real consequences. The invitation is to examine our hearts and ask whether we are building gates or opening doors to God’s kingdom. [09:30]
• 5. Christ is Found at the Gate Jesus is not distant or abstract; he is present in the faces of the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized. To follow him is to recognize his presence in those the world overlooks and to respond with compassion and dignity. Our faith is proven not by what we profess, but by how we love the “Lazarus” at our own gates.
  
  ** [15:39]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:26] - The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man
• [01:06] - Trading Places: Reversal of Fortunes
• [01:45] - The World’s Game: Power and Indifference
• [02:13] - What Truly Follows Us
• [02:46] - Lazarus at the Gate: Our Responsibility
• [03:27] - Modern Wealth Gaps and Social Reflection
• [06:28] - Generosity and the True Use of Wealth
• [07:15] - The Danger of Insulation
• [08:31] - Ignoring Our Neighbors: A Spiritual Warning
• [09:30] - Hardened Hearts and Real Consequences
• [10:50] - Faith Beyond Sunday: Living Our Beliefs
• [12:18] - Community in Action
• [15:39] - Christ Among Us: Seeing Jesus at the Gate
• [20:32] - Compassion Up Close: Living Generously
• [24:05] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Luke 16:19-31 (ESV) — > “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. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Observation Questions

1. What are the main differences between the lives of the rich man and Lazarus before and after death? (Luke 16:19-26)
2. According to the sermon, what was the rich man’s real sin, and how did it show up in his daily life? [02:46]
3. What does Abraham say is already available to warn the rich man’s brothers, and why is that important? (Luke 16:29-31)
4. In the sermon, what modern examples were given to show how the gap between rich and poor still exists today? [03:27]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus focus on the rich man’s indifference rather than his wealth itself? What does this say about what God values? [02:46]
2. The sermon says, “Generosity is not about the size of our bank accounts, but about the openness of our lives.” What does it mean to have an “open life” in the context of this parable? [06:28]
3. How does the story challenge the idea that faith is just about attending church or religious rituals? What does true community look like according to the sermon? [12:18]
4. The sermon mentions that “Christ is found at the gate”—in the faces of the poor and marginalized. How does this change the way we see and treat people who are often overlooked? [15:39]

Application Questions

1. Who is “Lazarus at your gate” right now—someone in your life or neighborhood who is in need? What is one specific way you could respond this week instead of looking away? [02:46]
2. The sermon warns about building “gates” instead of “tables.” Are there ways you have insulated yourself from the needs of others, maybe without realizing it? What would it look like to open your life more? [06:28]
3. Think about your daily routine. Are there moments when you step over or ignore someone who might need compassion or help? What could you do differently next time? [02:46]
4. The sermon says, “Community is more than Sunday morning.” How can you check in on someone in your church or neighborhood this week—maybe with a call, a visit, or a simple message? [12:18]
5. When was the last time you saw someone in need and felt tempted to say, “It’s not my responsibility”? What would it look like to take responsibility, even in a small way? [08:31]
6. The sermon challenges us to use our resources for good. Is there a resource (time, money, skill, or connection) you have that you could use to lift someone up this month? [06:28]
7. The story ends with a warning that knowing what to do isn’t enough—we have to act. What is one thing you feel God is prompting you to do after hearing this story and sermon? [19:13]