You have received your reward

There are certain structures of verbs which denote completed action in the past tense, and certain ones which denote the future.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Luke 16: 24, 25

Throughout this little passage, Jesus draws distinctions: past, present and future.  The language is divisive in that sense:  it divides time itself.  What was, what is, and what will be.  Everything seems to hinge on the present (now, now, now, now;  v 21,25).  Jesus tells us that we will make sense of the present when we look to the past and to the future.

There are some who will not receive justice, or food, or mercy in this life.  That is why we also read this week from Paul's letter to the Corinthians:  "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."  There is a life yet to come.

So who is Jesus talking to?  "Looking at his disciples, he said..."  Can you be a disciple and be rich?  And well fed?

Comments

[Peter]

Hmm. As a genuine question, how do we define 'rich'? I may live modestly in N America and give regularly and sacrificially. However, by historical and worlds standards, I am still rich.

How do I aviod being 'rich' in N America?

Just some thought that might need unpacking.....

Blessings,

Peter

[Matt]

Well, I know I'm not rich...after all I'm typing this on an old P3 900MHz. (Rich people have better computers, like Macbooks);
...after all I only have two choices of side dishes at supper;
...after all I only have two really good pairs of dress shoes;
...after all I only have coffee at Second Cup once per week.

So I know I'm not rich.