The Rich Man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31

1. The Rich Man and LazarusLuke 16:19-31

2. Introduction-1 • Often called a parable • Though Jesus didn’t identify it as such • Clearly contains symbolic language • Same truths are taught whether it is a parable or not • Jesus had warned the Pharisees about covetousness- Lk.12:15 • Here he warned them about trying to serve two masters-V13

3. Introduction-2 • They derided Jesus for this teaching • Because they were covetous themselves • They looked on wealth as a sign of Divine favor and approval and poverty as a curse for sin • Jesus told this story to show them the folly of covetousness • We live in a prosperous land in prosperous times • We need to learn and remember the lessons Jesus taught in this story

4. The Rich Man-1 • He is sometimes called Dives, which means rich • He was a Jew like those whom Jesus taught • Evidences of his wealth • Dressed in the best clothes like royalty • He faired sumptuously every day • Such wealth suggests other things that he may have had • Fine house • Many servants

5. The Rich Man-2 3. Associates to share his bounty if he wanted them • The rich man is not censored for his great possessions • Abraham, Job and others were wealthy righteous men • Nor was he a liar, an adulterer, a thief or a murderer • No sin of commission at all is charged against him • Yet like all men he was a sinner- Rom. 3:23 • Yet he appears to have had no concern about his spiritual condition

6. Lazarus • A name which means one whom “God is a help” • He was a beggar who depended on others for his survival • He was full of sores which the dogs came and licked • He was placed at the gate of the rich man • Because he could not get there on his own • So that the rich man would help him • Lazarus desired only the rich man’s crumbs • But he evidently didn’t receive even those

7. The Reversal of their Conditions-1 • Death brought a reversal in the condition of these two men • Lazarus was carried by angels to a place of relief, rest and comfort called “Abraham’s bosom”-Heb. 1:14 • He was not there because he was poor • But because he had kept God’s law • He had not envied the rich man nor complained when he gave him nothing • The rich man died and was buried

8. The Reversal of their Conditions-2 • The rich man left all his wealth and advantages behind- I Tim. 6:7 • He found himself in a place of torment • One part of Hades (unseen realm) • He was not there because of his wealth • But because he had failed to use it to relieve the suffering of his poor neighbor- Deut. 15:11 • He was the antithesis of the good Samaritan • Sins of omission will cause others to end up in torment

9. The Reversal of their Conditions-3 • The rich man was now seeking relief • He asked for Lazarus to come & cool his tongue • But his request was rejected • He also suffered mentally • He remembered that he had 5 brothers who were headed for torment also • He asked for Lazarus to be allowed to go back and warn them

10. The Reversal of their Conditions-4 • This request was also denied with the assurance that if they would not believe the Moses and the prophets they would not believe one who returned from the dead- V31 • Those who go into eternal punishment will remember the opportunities they had to repent and to do good to others • And how they influenced others to remain in sin • But, like the rich man, it will be too late to correct their mistakes

11. Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus 1. God’s judgment is different from man’s -V15 • He judges based on the heart- I Sam. 16:7 • Wealth can hinder salvation- Prov. 30:8-9 • God will accept the poorest people- Mt. 11:5 • We must be merciful to those in need- Jas. 2:13 & Mt. 5:7 • One’s destiny is fixed at death- V26 • Are you prepared for eternity this morning?