Author: Daniel Tomberlin

There is no shortage of accusers against self-righteous Christians, and the systemic self-righteousness of the institutional church. You have undoubtedly seen the bumper stickers, read the posts, and viewed the videos that portray most Christians as judgmental hypocrites. Unbelievers and believers alike take aim and hurl an avalanche of stones. The well-meaning believers who are “prophetically” (tongue-in-cheek) accusing their brethren of hypocrisy don’t seem to realize that they have also become “judgmental.” Self-righteousness goes both ways.

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So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:21; cf. 16-21).

This story reminds us of Joseph who stored the grains of Egypt in preparation for the famine (Genesis 41:25ff). It is wise to prepare for the future (Proverbs 6:6-11). Those who do not prepare for the future ensure their poverty. But this story diverges from the Joseph story. Joseph was charged with storing grain so that during the coming famine the people would flourish.

Continue reading “The Foolish Rich Man”

Because of my long involvement in ministerial development I am always in conversation with young men and women of the church who are presenting themselves for ministry. So, this gives me a perspective on what they are thinking. Many of these young people are really smart and passionate. They want to serve Christ. They are searching for direction, and they are asking some really good questions. One question I often hear is about drinking alcoholic beverages: “If Jesus made wine, why is it wrong to drink it?”

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Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores (Luke 16:19-21; cf. 19-31).

In much of the world the poor are beyond the gates, or live in walled camps. In the developed world, zoning ordinances keep the poor in their place. We’ve made it possible to live in comfort and easily ignore the suffering of the poor.

Continue reading “The Rich Man and Lazarus – from Radical GENEROSITY”