The Pharisees, to whom todays parable was originally directed, are described in the Gospel as being "fond of money". Our Lord also referred to them as blind guides," and it was their fondness for money that made them spiritually blind to their neighbours, as well as deaf to the word of God.

Our Lord's object in the parable was not to condemn wealth as such but to point up the evil consequences of its abuse. The rich man dressed in finery and pampered his appetite for exquisite food and drink. He was so taken up with his own pleasures that he failed to pay any attention to poor Lazarus starving at his gate. In his condition Lazarus would have considered the scraps were offered to him. The rich man had allowed his wealthy circumstances to blind him to the need of others.

Wealth is enticing because of the pleasures it can bring. But the man who lives for pleasure alone will wither and dry up like the barren bush described in today's first lession. The person who keeps his eyes open to the needs of others and listens attentively to the word of God will be like the tree planted near running water. He will yield good fruit, a fruit that will endure unto everlasting life.