Yesterday I ended up at SouthPark Mall following a business meeting across the street. As I walked around the mall, I noticed a few things:
1) There is a ridiculous amount of wealth in this place. It really feels palpable too, as if the money dust is in the air. I myself felt like I had a little bit more money just from the very act of walking around inside that place.
2) Whether they are young, college aged women or older housewives, the women there all seem angelic. It seems like they have a higher external beauty-per-capita at Southpark Mall…which just means a higher temptation-per-capita for me and other Christian Men. In the words of King Arthur and reminiscent of Joseph, “Run away run away.”
3) Did I mention the wealth thing yet?
It just so happened that the previous night, at the UCF worship service, Steve had talked about the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. The error wasnt that the rich man didnt extend help to Lazarus. The problem was that the rich man was unable to see Lazarus at all. The wealth itself wasnt bad, but it kept the rich man from seeing the poor who needed his help. Or, maybe the rich man did see him after all, but the riches kept him insulated, and he was able to sleep in his bed passing up the opportunity to use his wealth to help another.
This is all I could think about at Southpark. How many of those people were unable to see the poor person laying at their feet? How many of them were so far removed from the social issues in Charlotte that they probably couldnt even give of there wealth if they wanted to? How many of them were, even worse yet, being served by cashiers, attendants, and janitors at THIS VERY MALL while yet still being oblivious to the power they could have to shine some light into another person’s life, using their wealth as an instrument of salvation instead of self-indulgence?
So, take this as a warning tale. If someday you find yourself walking thorough a Southpark Mall feeling comfortable, at home, and content, you have become the rich man from the parable. Run immediately from the premise and find a Lazarus nearby and give of yourself and your wealth before it is too late.
DAlen
be great