Sunday’s gospel lesson is the story of Lazarus and the rich man. It evokes our sympathy. It opens the possibility-described as an impossibility-of place-sharing, trading or sharing places with each other. It also echoes a common theme: the pursuit of wealth in this world can lead us into idolatry and away from faith in Christ. Instead, as the reading from 1 Timothy 6 reminds us, we should pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness, so that there is no “poor man named Lazarus” dying at our gates. After all, the greatest treasure – our eternal salvation – has already been procured for us through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Knowing this, we can share all we have with our neighbors, even our very place and salvation, confident that God will continue to provide for our needs.
Consideration of and care for those in need (especially those “at our gate,” visible to us, of whom we are aware) is an essential component of good stewardship. It is in the sharing of wealth that we avoid the snare of wealth. It is the one whom death could not hold-who comes to us risen from the dead-who can free us from the death grip of greed.

Sunday we return to the fall schedule. Worship services are at 8:15 and 10:30. The Homecoming Breakfast for families of Cradle Roll and Sunday School children and Confirmation Class youth, marking the beginning of the Sunday School year, will be at 9:15.