What Should We Learn From The Story Of The Rich Man And Lazarus In Luke 16
“What should we learn from the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16?”Luke 16:19-3119 Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.20 At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.22 "Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.(into Abraham's bosom) The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and his soul went to the place of the dead.(to Hades) There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.24 "The rich man shouted, ÔÇÿFather Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.'25 "But Abraham said to him, ÔÇÿSon, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.'27 "Then the rich man said, ÔÇÿPlease, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father's home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don't end up in this place of torment.'29 "But Abraham said, ÔÇÿMoses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.'30 "The rich man replied, ÔÇÿNo, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.'31 "But Abraham said, ÔÇÿIf they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.'"
This Scripture contains the account of a very rich man who lived a life of extreme luxury.
Laid outside the gate of this rich man's house, however, was an extremely poor man named Lazarus who simply hoped "to eat what fell from the rich man's table" (v. 21). The rich man was completely indifferent to the plight of Lazarus, showing him no love, sympathy, or compassion whatsoever. Eventually, they both died. Lazarus went to heaven, and the rich man went to hell. Appealing to "Father Abraham" in heaven, the rich man requested that Lazarus be sent to cool his tongue with a drop of water to lessen his "agony in this fire." The rich man also asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his brothers to repent so that they would never join him in hell. Both requests were denied. Abraham told the rich man that if his brothers did not believe in Scripture, neither would they believe a messenger, even if he came straight from heaven.There is some question as to whether this story is a true, real-life account or a parable, since two of its characters are named (making it unique among parables). Parable or not, however, there is a much we can learn from this passage:First of all, Jesus teaches here that heaven and hell are both real, literal places. Sadly, many preachers shy away from uncomfortable topics such as hell. Some even teach "universalism" – the belief that everyone goes to heaven. Yet Christ spoke about hell a great deal, as did Paul, Peter, John, Jude, and the writer of Hebrews. The Bible is clear that every person who has ever lived will spend eternity in either heaven or hell. Like the rich man in the story, multitudes today are complacent in their conviction that all is well with their soul, and many will hear our Savior tell them otherwise when they dieMatthew 7:2323 But I will reply, ÔÇÿI never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws.'This story also illustrates that once we cross the eternal horizon, that's it. There are no more chances. The transition to our eternal state takes place the moment we die2 Corinthians 5:88 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.Luke 23:4343 And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."Philippians 1:2323 I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.When believers die, they are immediately in the conscious fellowship and joys of heaven. When unbelievers die, they are just as immediately in the conscious pain, suffering, and torment of hell. Notice the rich man didn't ask for his brothers to pray for his release from some purgatorial middle ground, thereby expediting his journey to heaven. He knew he was in hell, and he knew why. That's why his requests were merely to be comforted and to have a warning sent to his brothers. He knew there was no escape. He was eternally separated from God, and Abraham made it clear to him that there was no hope of ever mitigating his pain, suffering, or sorrow. Those in hell will perfectly recollect missed opportunities and their rejection of the gospel.Like many these days who buy into the "prosperity gospel," the rich man wrongly saw his material riches as evidence of God's love and blessing. Likewise, he believed the poor and destitute, like Lazarus, were cursed by God. Yet, as the apostle James exhorted, James 5:55 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.Not only do riches not get one into heaven, but they have the power to separate a person from God in a way that few other things can. Riches are deceitfulMark 4:1919 but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced. (Mark 4:19). It is certainly not impossible for the very rich to enter heaven (many heroes of the Bible were wealthy), but Scripture is clear that it is very hardMatthew 19:23-2423 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I'll say it again-it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"Mark 10:23-2523 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!" 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, "Dear children, it is very hard[a] to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"Luke 18:24-2524 When Jesus saw this,(Some manuscripts read When Jesus saw how sad the man was ) he said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"True followers of Christ will not be indifferent to the plight of the poor like the rich man in this story was. God loves the poor and is offended when His children neglect themProverbs 17:55 Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.Proverbs 22:9,22-239 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor…………..22 Don't rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.23 For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.Proverbs 29:77 The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don't care at all. Proverbs 31:8-98 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.In fact, those who show mercy to the poor are in effect ministering to Christ personallyMatthew 25:35-4035 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'37 "Then these righteous ones will reply, ÔÇÿLord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'40 "And the King will say, ÔÇÿI tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,you were doing it to me!'
Christians are known by the fruit they bear. The Holy Spirit's residence in our hearts will most certainly impact how we live and what we do.Abraham's words in verses 29 and 31(Opening Scripture) referring to "Moses and the Prophets" (Scripture) confirms that understanding the revealed Word of God has the power to turn unbelief into faithHebrews 4:1212 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desiresJames 1:1818 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.(Greek we became a kind of firstfruit of his creatures)1 Peter 1:2323 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.Furthermore, knowing Scripture helps us to understand that God's children, like Lazarus, can suffer while on this earth-suffering is one of the many tragic consequences of living in a sinful and fallen world.The Bible says our earthly lives are like "mist or fog"James 4:1414 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone.Our earthly sojourn is exceedingly brief. Perhaps the greatest lesson to learn from this story, then, is that when death comes knocking on our door there is only one thing that matters:our relationship with Jesus Christ.Matthew 16:2626 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?Mark 8:3636 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soulEternal life is only found in Christ.1 John 5:11-1211 And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life.The truth is, if we wish to live apart from God during our time on earth, He will grant us our wish for eternity as well. As one pastor aptly said,
"If you board the train of unbelief, you will have to take it all the way to its destination."