Amos 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Does God give us karma? You know karma, that is, “what goes around comes around”. This has always been a favorable stance for us as humans. We like the idea that those who do good are rewarded and those who do evil are punished. It’s like watching someone speed past you on the road and hoping the police are waiting nearby. Indeed, we often revel in such circumstances because we believe that is the way things are supposed to work.

It seems as though Jesus says much the same in our Gospel lesson this week. We hear Jesus tell us the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man has everything he desires in life and enjoys great comfort, whereas Lazarus has nothing but suffering. Then we hear their fate after they die, where Abraham speaks to the rich man, saying, “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,” Luke 16:25. It seems that the moral of this story is that the greedy man is punished and the poor man rewarded.

Hence, our question... Does God give us Karma? It would make us feel better if we could say yes. We all would prefer it that way, wouldn’t we? But the problem is, we all are evil. We all deserve punishment for the sins we commit and “karma” shows no mercy. If every time I did something wrong I had to pay a price for it, I would be bankrupt in a day! 

However, the rich man is meant as a stern warning for us who live comfortable lives. You see, the problem with the rich man is that he has made an idol out of his wealth and comfort. When life is going well, we feel no need to ask for help. This is why Scripture repeatedly warns us about the allure of money. Wealth, riches, and a comfortable life are among the many things that cause us to stop listening to God’s word. Yes, when life and “faith” become easy for us, it’s far easier to stop believing or listening to God. Rather, faith requires us to examine ourselves constantly, to know that we are nothing other than poor, miserable sinners.

But consider also Lazarus. Did he get into heaven simply because he was poor? That’s also a no! Understand that the name “Lazarus” means “One whom God has helped”. Lazarus was helped by God throughout his life so that God may be his help even in death. For God has helped us by giving us Moses and the Prophets. But he didn’t stop there. Yes, upon hearing God’s word to his people of Old, we come to know and look towards the promised messiah, Jesus Christ! Jesus is the one who helps us in our weakness, warns us of our sin, and comforts us in our afflictions. Jesus is the one whom God put to death for your sins and even raised him to witness to new and eternal life for all who believe! God is not the God of karma, but the God of mercy and grace! 

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

O God, You are the strength of all who trust in You, and without Your aid we can do no good thing. Grant us the help of Your grace that we may please You in both will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!