The Rich man & the Poor man

There’s a parable that comes to mind, about two men. one is a poor man named Lazarus, & the other is very wealthy. I see the rich man’s wealth filled with an abundance sufficient enough to lend to the poor man, but for whatever reason, he failed to do so, despite his circumstance. Lazarus was afflicted with sores which gave witness that he was in need, so much so that even the dogs would come & lick the sores. These both were men found among the multitude to be baptized. The poor man drew near to the waters, & came out receiving the embracing love of his ancestors. However the rich man drawing near to the waters, was not as abundant in the spirit.

Spirit reminds us in many ways of how the race is not to the swift, nor battle to the strong, but to those that endure, should also receive life. In the same way do we see the poor man, not very mighty or noble according to flesh, but what we would rather consider a base thing in the world. Despised of men, & yet ministered through intercession of the ancestors. How is this even possible?

From precept we find in spirit, the way of life made plain through humility of self. The poor man was already abased in the humility of his circumstance. The process of “drawing near” would then perfect his humility according to his faith. In short is it written:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

The rich man receives the lavishness of his life, but he turned a blind eye to a man in clear need of his mercy. This became his offense, not that he was a man of abundant wealth.

Usually when we consider money from a “spiritual perspective,” it’s the traditional thought to perceive the love of money as a “root of all evil.” In the idea that with money comes much other temptations of the world. & this is very much true, only when this is the relationship that we hold with money, that it becomes the “evil root” of our reality. There’s also a spiritual perspective that will train the mind to view our money “set for the defense,” in which our relationship with money becomes one where we “fight the good fight” according to our faith laying hold toward an abundant life. & so now, in the same way that we find polarity of two extremes between the poor man & the rich man, we also find those two extremes in the way in which our money could manifest itself into our reality both for good or for evil.

& So with this we see that there’s no shame in the rich man’s wealth, but rather that in love of wealth, he was un-rich toward his neighbor. In precept that it be better that we’re “rich in good works” than the uncertainty of worldly riches. That we be ready to distribute, & willing to communicate. & that these things lay up a good foundation, (Set Defense) against times of uncertainty. This is the remission at work.

Finding his Remedy

Being that his burden was left un-tended by hand of the rich man’s help, the question becomes, what is it that the poor man could do for himself to help in circumstance of his own situation?

Believing whole heartedly that we may overcome our burdens through drawing near to the higher is a matter of faith. The process of drawing near is work of patience which transforms confession into testimony. & that testimony becomes a seed within us.