19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Jesus clearly points out to us the lifestyle of a rich man over against the lifestyle of a poor beggar. The rich man had everything in life that he needed. He had the good life! Like the story Jesus gave regarding the man who had so much stuff that he decided to build more barns, this rich man had everything at his disposal. At least, it appears to be that way. This man was so rich that he know nothing about going without anything that he wanted or needed. Yet, the common denominator of life came upon him. The rich man died. When he died, he had a large funeral and was carried by the hands of man to his grave, and then the punch line, in HELL, he lifted up his eyes in torment.
According to Jesus' story, the poor beggar only knew of depravation and need. The poor beggar could not even afford to adequately feed himself. He begged for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. The beggar longed for compassion of the rich man or at least from somebody, but the only compassion he received was from the dogs who licked his oozing sores. However, this suffering and down and out man died. He did not have a funeral. He couldn't afford the final rites of a funeral. Yet, Angels were dispatched from Glory to pick up this poor soul, and usher him to Abraham's bosom! What a role reversal! What a blessing!
It is extremely possible for one to have everything they need in this life and yet be spiritually bankrupt! Don't miss the point of Jesus' message! Jesus is not suggesting that a rich man can not enter into the Kingdom. However, it may be difficult for a rich man to do so, if the rich man places his trust in his riches! The message here is that in life, we have a choice to make. We are going to either have compassion for others in this life, or find ourselves longing for compassion in the life that is to come. Either you are going to suffer or experience difficulty in this life and rejoice in eternity, or rejoice in this life and suffer and experience difficulty for all eternity. For me, this message is clear. We are free moral agents with the power to the choose. Make the right choice and live a life of compassion that will be acceptable to Christ.
Committed to Serve,
Dr. A.L. Purham, Sr., Pastor
The Freedom Church of Duncan SC
#Freedom #Church
