Good Morning Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells us of Lazarus the beggar and the rich man. In Luke 21:1-4 Jesus tells us of the poor widow woman who brought two mites to the temple treasury. Both Lazarus and the poor widow woman were Jews, a son and daughter of Abraham. Both were under the Abrahamic Covenant. Both were poor. Do you know which one ended up rich? Do you know which one ended up with greater rewards from Christ in Heaven?
I’m going to keep this short and to the point. If you’re interested, you can study it further and wring it out. Let’s quickly look at the hearts and desires of both. Lazarus’ heart and desire are given us in Luke 16:21:
Luke 16:20-21
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Here is Lazarus, a child and descendent of Father Abraham, and what is he desiring? Crumbs from the rich man’s table. Lazarus, a Jew who was a Covenant man because of Abraham’s covenant with God. Deuteronomy 28:1-14 was The Blessing Lazarus received from God through the Covenant. Yet, here was Lazarus living as a pauper, begging on the streets, and desiring the crumbs of the world. Jesus called Lazarus a man with an evil heart (Matthew 12:35). Yes, a Believer can have an evil heart. How do we keep from having an evil heart?
Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Hiding The Word in your heart means you BELIEVE and ACCEPT God’s Word as TRUTH. It’s obvious from what Jesus said of Lazarus that Lazarus didn’t do this. We shouldn’t feel sorry for Lazarus because he was poor and a beggar. We should feel sorry for Lazarus because he was either ignorant or unbelieving of God’s Word. Lazarus had NO business being a beggar and desiring the crumbs of the world. That was and is offensive to God. He didn’t send His Son to sacrifice Himself so we can beg crumbs of the world.
Now, the widow lady who gave two mites. I never saw this revelation until about 6 months ago. As I was reading Luke again, the Holy Spirit illuminated Luke 21:1-4. The Holy Spirit instructed me (yes, the Holy Spirit will teach you; John 14:26) the widow woman became rich. I looked over the four verses again and again, but I couldn’t see this. I asked the Holy Spirit, “how can this be? I don’t see anywhere where it says the widow became rich. I don’t see anywhere where it tells me of her heart and desire.” The Holy Spirit then asked me this. “Why would an extremely poor widow give ALL that she had left in this world to the temple treasury?” No one in their right mind in this world would do this. Then it dawned on me. She had come to understand the Covenant and how the Kingdom of God works. Else, why would a poor widow give away everything. The Holy Spirit replied, “yes, she learned of and accepted the Truth of the Covenant, The Blessing of the Covenant, and the Spiritual Law of Sowing and Reaping.” She was able to sow all that she had in this life because she had become convinced of The Blessing of the Covenant. The Blessing promised her a significant increase because she honored the Lord God with all her substance.
Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
The Holy Spirit told me when I meet this woman in Heaven, I will find out she left this earth rich materially, physically, and spiritually. Why? Because she dared to believe the Word of God, The Truth, and willingly obey it.
Isaiah 1:19
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
So, who received the greater rewards from Jesus in Heaven, Lazarus or the widow woman? Yes, the widow woman. Lazarus’ soul never prospered, and his poor health and poverty are vivid examples of this (III John 2). The widow woman, whom I no longer call poor after the Holy Spirit’s revelation, received great rewards from Jesus. She dared to believe the Word of God and put it to the test. How about you?
If you’re willing to study God’s Word and seek after it like hid treasure, the Holy Spirit will reveal the hidden mysteries of God’s Word which is reserved only for those that diligently seek after Him.
Blessings,
Larry