The picture that is being painted here is of a poor man begging a rich man for help. The man in need comes in humility, hoping to find compassion and mercy. The rich man is annoyed by this and harshly answers the man in hopes that he will go away. The harsh answer flows from a calloused heart that can look at someone in need, and be unaffected by their suffering. While we may not fit the scenario of harshly answering the poor, we all struggle with this type of arrogant, hardness of heart. The illustration goes well if we transfer it over to the spiritual dimension. Those who lack compassion for sinners usually see themselves on a high spiritual plain; they are rich. In Jesus’ earthly ministry, we do not find a man who speaks harsh words to sinners, but a man who has compassion on them. Do you see yourself as harsh and arrogant at times? If so, you have a lack of compassion toward sinners. May God grant us the ability and desire to respond to His compassion toward us, with a deep compassion toward each other.