Luke 6: 24-26 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you.”
These powerful words fall within a group of verses similar to the sermon on the mount reflections in Matthew. Luke somewhat shortened his account of what Jesus spoke that day.
Jesus rejoices with the poor, hungry and sad, as well as those who are insulted because of His name (probably the majority of his listeners). He said they should even leap for joy in their terrible situations because their future great reward was in Heaven. He then proceeded to heavily grieve in compassion for those whose comfort and greed were found in wealth rather than in setting their gaze on the Father. Those people were not to be envied but pitied! Those people regarded themselves as having everything they felt was essential for a good life and did not sense their need for God.
Jesus may have been speaking directly to the affluent Pharisees of His day who consistently contended with Him. The influential, highly religious Pharisees wanted to be seen as having it ‘all together.’ In a sense, they sought after the substantial attention from others and the successful applause from the crowds instead of seeking the suffering Christ, His joyous approval and a life of humble simplicity.
In a classic example of today’s verse, Luke 16:19-31, Jesus told a story of a poor man, Lazarus, who longed to eat the crumbs that fell from the table of a man who lived in luxury. Both men died. In the afterlife, the poor man found comfort, whereas the man who had hoarded his wealth to himself was “in anguish.”
In all these things, I’ve tried to wrap my brain around the reason why Jesus expressed such “woe” to those full of wealth, food and laughter (things that in and of themselves are not wrong). The words, “for you have already received your comfort (as in the story of the rich and poor man)” struck my heart to its core. Jesus literally felt sorry for those who were in a perpetual state of self-dependence (the very goal most people try to attain their whole lives) WHY?
Note that not every poor person is blessed, for they, out of bitterness, may not put their hope in Christ, and not every rich person is to be pitied, for they may be generous and dependent on the Lord in wholehearted devotion and service (laying down their lives for others). Some people have a knack for making money, for providing sumptuous meals and bringing laughter to others as a gift.
Everything we receive from God’s hand can be shared with those around us. We can be God’s vessels of comfort to those who are poor and needy and sad.
Imagine a privileged man (who knows not the One who gave him his riches). He is self-sufficient within his possessions. He has everything he wants, so why need God and why give to His people? Why not hoard it all to himself?
Yet, from a spiritual standpoint, possessions are only temporary substitutes for what the heart eternally seeks in the Father. Earthly possessions can be distinguished by a personal perception of financial power and advantage over others, whereas God and His spiritual blessings are intangible. The Lord appears to be slow, at times, in the furnishing of our physical needs (giving us a chance to have increased faith in times of discomfort or loss).
Riches furnish the object of one’s wants, when one wants them, whereas those who turn to God for their physical needs and wants may be left in uncertainty (needing a severe steadfastness in Christ to ride the waves of patience in the waiting). The rich find security in earthbound things, whereas those devoted to the Lord find security only in Him. The rich spend their energy and time on the cares of this world and not on the real wealth of all Jesus has for us. Their trust is in their wealth: the truest poverty of all. They don’t know how poor, hungry and sad they really are, perhaps until tragedy strikes. Then, how might all the possessions in the world save them?
Certainly money, food and laughter can be deceptive, luring and distracting, but they are not evil. They are necessary ingredients of life God uses to provide for us, and we share these blessings in our relationships and care of each other.
For example, Jesus was often in the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus, who appear to have been wealthy: a home and food, enough for Jesus and His disciples to enjoy with laughter and much needed rest. Women of means supported Jesus and His ministry. Jesus attended a joyous wedding celebration, had happy moments with precious children and gave the gift of a better life through physical healing of the sick. The focus on possessions as their ‘all-in-all’ was not a part of their lives, but instead useful in the service of the Almighty God: their true ‘All-in-All,’ their true wealth.
The opposite of rich is poor, and we think of the poor (though not applicable to all) as being humble, hungry, sad (worried) in their lack of things and perhaps not so self-important. Of course, they have more opportunities to lean on the Lord for provision of their meals, clothing and shelter. The poor have more opportunities to see for themselves up close their need for God.
I would like to have eyes to see up close my need for God.
Is it possible when one is surrounded with so much the earth can provide in money, food and laughter to know, really know, one’s greatest need is the Father?
Whatever our station, regardless of how rich or poor, the truth is found not in a person’s luxuriant spirit (focused on the flesh) but in one’s poverty of spirit, acknowledging in humility one’s own weakness (in which God’s strength shines through). These things reflect more about the heart than about physical finances.
Such a person seeks to become a giver of things he’s been given. He pursues becoming a generous listener and not hoarding conversations so much. Such a person, if outgoing, is content to work behind the scenes and not always excessively out front like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time. If he is reserved, he is content, even in weakness, to take the lead when God calls, though he would rather stay in the safety of shadows. Perhaps, such a person when faced with conflict would have a higher goal than greedily winning. Instead, he would desire to guide by his words, actions and handling of the conversation to the true wealth of discovering more about each other in sincere, loving ways!
Dear Father in Heaven, though my outward appearance is one of joy and calm in bearing your name, deep in my soul, I am in a constant state of poverty, hunger and mourning because this world is not my home, and I long for my true dwelling with you. Life’s greatest wisdom will never be found left to my own devices. You are my wisdom, fullness and satisfaction. You are the answer to my deepest desires and needs. In times of waiting for your response to my prayers, teach me to worship and praise you. In times of feast and happiness that come from your hand, help me to leap for joy in your goodness and clear provision, taking no glory unto myself and sharing my lot with those less fortunate. In Jesus name, Amen.
Search me, Oh God, and know my heart Psalm 139:23 (ASV) 