The Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus IS tied into the theme of money. That may be why it is placed in the narrative here. However, it is not the only message, nor the main point of the story. There is more here about eternity than riches. But maybe not the way you would think.
Jesus introduces the story in the same way that he did His last story:
“There was a rich man who…”
In this story, the rich man lives in a huge house feasting every day. Outside his gate, Lazarus, a poor, probably paralyzed, sore-covered man who couldn’t even shoo the dogs away, lay hoping for crumbs from the rich man’s table. The rich man had ignored Lazarus so long he likely didn’t even see him anymore. But he did know he was there…
Both men die, but while the poor man ends up at “Abraham’s side,” where he is comforted, the rich man ends up tormented in Hades. It is a classic reversal. The man who suffered in life is comforted in eternity, while the man who had it all in life enters eternity with nothing. However, this is not some sort of karma story. The man’s sin was not riches, but indifference.
The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus (see, he knew who he was) to comfort him with a drop of water, much like the crumbs he denied Lazarus in life. Abraham’s response is no “You get what you deserve, I am not going to send you any comfort” but rather an, “It is impossible.” And when the rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them (ala Marley’s ghost warning Scrooge), Abraham says that they have the scriptures.
The lessons here are many. Do not trust your riches now, when you should focus on eternity. Do not ignore the poor and downtrodden, when you should do what you can to improve their lot in life. The point of the blessings we receive from God is to bless others. The time to make decisions about eternity is now, because after death it will be too late.
And finally, most importantly, heed scripture, because it is the only warning you are going to get.
People often lament that God does not make things more obvious. “If God were really there, He would give us an undeniable proof.”
This story exposes the problem with the thought. We effectively ignore every sign, miracle, warning, and word from God. Why do we think He could do anything we would not rather explain away? Scripture, the stories and revelations God has given are already so miraculous and convincing. To deny the reality of Jesus, His life, His teaching, His death, and His resurrection, is to ignore the most astounding and extraordinary story in history. It is to deny the historic, world changing, culture forming, best thing that has ever happened. If you don’t heed it, you probably won’t heed the very dead coming back to warn you.
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