Does God really dislike the rich and love only the poor? The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16) has raised that question for centuries, and this sermon takes it head-on, showing that its heart is not the state of your bank account but the state of your heart: where you anchor your identity and what you count as your greatest good. The moving story of Father Damien, who went to live among the lepers of Molokai, shows what happens when God becomes someone’s true treasure. Listen and answer the two most important questions: who are you, and what is your greatest good?
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Luke 16:19-31 the rich man has no name, while the beggar is called Lazarus, meaning "God helps". What does this difference say about the identity and greatest good of each of them?
- Jesus' first listeners saw wealth as a sign of God's blessing and considered Lazarus unclean. What in the ending of this parable would have surprised them most?
- Abraham answers that the rich man's brothers have Moses and the Prophets. According to the sermon, why is God's word enough, and why would even someone rising from the dead not convince those who will not listen to it?
- The sermon asks: who are you, and what is your greatest good? How do you answer, and what beyond your family role, job or title truly defines your identity?
- The rich man never got up from his table to walk the few steps to his gate. Who is the Lazarus at your gate today, someone you can easily overlook?
- The people of the island asked for Father Damien's right hand because it was the hand he touched them with. How can you use what you have this week for the good of a specific person?
