30th September 2022

The Chancellor rich man and Lazarus.

The New Testament and Gospel readings from this week’s lectionary are both about money. They could not be more timely. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils”, said Paul in his letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 6.10, ESV).

The Gospel reading is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It is the introduction that caught my attention:

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table” (Luke 16.19– 21).

And that, my friends, is what they mean by “trickle-down economics”.

In his Thought earlier in the week, Nick wrote about the anger he felt at the Chancellor’s recent statement. My response was more one of despair. What can we do in the face of a government driven by love of money? Whatever the economic idealism behind it, cutting taxes for the rich – that is love of money.

What can we do?

Back to Paul’s letter to Timothy. Do not desire to be rich, rather be content with what you have, remember that you cannot take anything out of this world. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love. Be generous and ready to share. That is the way of the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6.6–16).

Ian Waddington