The Rich Man and Lazarus
After reading this parable about the rich man and Lazarus, I tried to relate and compare it with our daily lives-what happens now and when we die.
The scriptures tell us that there was a rich man who lived a luxurious life, and at his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was very poor and was covered with sores and used to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. The time came when the beggar died and was carried by angels to Abraham’s side.
The rich man also died and was taken to hell, and was tormented until he started to beg Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue because he was in agony in the fire but Abraham told him that it was impossible for him to come since there’s a great gap between them.
The rich man also begged if Abraham could send Lazarus to his family to warn them so that they can repent and when they die they also don’t go to the place of torment(hell).
This parable is teaching and reminding us that God can bless you with his riches and have all we want, but we should always help the poor with the blessings that God has given us, as the Word of God says in Deuteronomy 15:11
“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”
Another point that I have taken is that we must prepare for our eternity while we are still alive by repenting for our sins so that God can forgive us! We can have eternal life in heaven as Lazarus did, even though he was poor in this world, he had a very good ending compared to the rich man who had a luxurious life but ended in Hell in so much pain, because he had only tangible blessings but spiritually poor.
The Bible says in Luke 15:7
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
When the rich man and Lazarus died, Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham’s side where he was comforted and the rich man was taken to hell where he was tormented and started to beg Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, because he was in agony in the fire but Abraham said that there’s a great chasm that has been set in place so that no one can cross from one place to another.
This means that once we die, there won’t be any other opportunity for us to repent and be with God in eternal life unless if we start preparing now by believing in him and repenting for our sins.
The last point I would like to talk about is when the rich man begged again Abraham to send Lazarus to his family to warn them, so that they repent and they don’t go to the place of torment but again Abraham told him they won’t listen to Lazarus if they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, this point reminds us that we should listen to our pastors, men and women of God whom God has chosen to teach the gospel so that we believe in God and live a righteous life that pleases God and also we should learn and teach the word of God when we still alive to other people so that they can also repent and be saved and have eternal life.
Prayer
I am sorry for all my sins, and I repent of them all. I give you my life today, and I confess my faith in your Son Jesus Christ that he is Lord. I believe that Jesus died and resurrected to give me eternal life; I confess my faith in him, and I accept him as my personal Lord and Savior.
Amen
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Hallelujah! Powerful words indeed. It is so important to never lose sight of our purpose here on earth. This earth is not our home, Heaven is. But if we get caught up in the worldly ways and forget to help and live those around us, then we will miss our heavenly blessings. The question we must ask ourselves today….“Where will I go if my life we’re to end today?”The answer should guide you in what you need to do right now…repent.
Thanks for sharing Arnaud
Amen , Amen , a simple but life changing parable ~ I pray that we don’t wait until our deathbeds to give our life to Christ , the time is now
Thank you Arnaud, relevant and current. When ever you get that feeling to help someone, it is the Holy Spirit in you prompting you to show that person what the Kingdom of God is like.