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This week we conclude our study of Luke Chapter 16. Please read verses 19-31 every day this week and, if possible, use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 16:19 (New International Version)
‘There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.’
At my office, there are hundreds of people from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are wealthy, some come from financially challenged homes. There are those who are very highly educated and there are some for whom academic qualifications meant nothing. All of them have different personalities that make every one of us quite unique.
There is one man who stands out because of his clothes. I really don’t know why, but it doesn’t matter what he wears, he always looks ‘scruffy’. He wears the best of clothes – designer labels most of the time, but he never manages to look as smart as the people around him. He is always clean shaven and his hair is always clean and tidy and yet he just looks like he’s been sleeping rough! I don’t think it’s his fault, it is just one of those things that can’t be explained. Perhaps you know someone like that also.
In our short study today, we see a man who is the exact opposite of my friend at work. This man really looked the part. One translation says that he lived ‘in dazzling splendour’ and that he ‘feasted sumptuously’ every day. Note also the first few words that Jesus uses: ‘There was a rich man’. In previous devotions, much has been said about wealth and how we are to use the gifts God graciously gives us, however, I want to say that the main point of this parable is NOT the man’s wealth. Abraham was rich and so was Job. They are never condemned for being wealthy and so I think it’s safe to say that the rest of the description gives us an indication of where the problem lies.
The fact that he was dressed in purple may not mean much to us in today’s society, but having clothes dyed in purple was an expensive thing. This man didn’t just appear to be rich, but he was flaunting his wealth in a way that was incorrect. The implication is that he would be walking around showing off his wealth and therefore elevating himself above anyone poorer. If this guy was around today, he’d be wearing a badge saying ‘Don’t you wish you were like me?’
Despite behaviour that may be loathsome to most of us, it’s quite clear that Jesus didn’t make any accusations against this man. He never stated that his wealth was dishonestly gained or that he was misusing or even wasting his money. The implication is that he’d earned his riches and was enjoying its fruit. This week, we’re going to discuss more about how Jesus shows the character of the person to be of greater value than their clothes, but today, I ask that we spend a few moments of prayerful gratitude to God for what we have. My prayer is that we hold on to a right spirit regardless of whether we are rich or poor.
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