SUFFERING: How God Wants to Reduce It TODAYSample

The Parable of Lazarus and The Reduction of Suffering Today

Throughout this study, we've covered the various aspects of suffering, and also Jesus’ introduction of the Kingdom of God and the reduction of suffering accompanying that.

Now, we turn our attention to the parable of Lazarus to learn how we can both help build the Kingdom of God and bring about a reduction in suffering through our lives.

In this parable, we encounter two men—one living in luxury and the other suffering in poverty:

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores." – Luke 16:19-21

After both men die, the rich man finds himself in torment, while Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham's side. The rich man, realizing his situation, begs for Lazarus' help, even though he never once extended a helping hand to Lazarus during his earthly life.

The dramatic point of this parable is clear: we are like the rich man.

We are each blessed with gifts to help REDUCE THE SUFFERING of those in need. And as Christians, we carry the good news—the Kingdom of God—within us. We are the very hands and feet of God Himself. We are here to help build the Kingdom and reduce suffering also. Through our actions, we are able to give others a glimpse of heaven itself!

As the parable makes clear, we are definitely not called to live lives of luxury while others outside our gate—in our church, our town, our country or across the world—suffer in poverty. We are also not called to be passive observers; nor is it enough to only support our church, missionaries, or other outreach people to do this work for us.

When God blesses us with abundance, it is not to live as the rich man, but to share and serve as His hands & feet in this world, so that we might reduce the suffering of others. That’s what it means to spread the good news, to build the Kingdom in your life.

So why is there still so much suffering in the world?

The answer to that question is this: it is because of the ongoing disobedience of humankind, especially our desire to put ourselves ahead of God’s purposes for us as Kingdom builders. Simply put, we prefer to live in comfort and not to “see” the needs of others. And so, unnecessary suffering—suffering that we could reduce—simply just continues on and on …

Therefore, let us no longer be like the rich man, but strive to be more like Jesus. Let us be ready to extend a hand of compassion and love to those in need. Let us deploy the resources God has given us to relieve the suffering of others and to help build the Kingdom of God as we do so.

One of the reasons that there is still so much unjust suffering in the world is that we as Christians are not living out our calling here on earth.

This is indeed a difficult message … but it is TRUTH from the Bible and God’s will for all of us as Christ-followers.

May God empower you as you change to step forward in greater obedience and love alleviating the suffering of others and sharing the good news of His Kingdom.

Amen.

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We hope this final devotional reading serves as a meaningful conclusion to the study of this difficult topic. For further insights on other topics, or if you enjoyed this plan, then click here to explore the other reading plans & resources available from God & Work and Roland Heersink.