Luke 16:19-31

The Book of Luke - the physician, (who travelled with the disciples and Jesus) has recorded the words of Jesus as he witnessed this story being told to the disciples, by Jesus.

Luke Chapter 16 : 19-31

There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and lived lavishly everyday.

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus who laid by the gate of the city, begging and full of sores, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

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;

And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his care.

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 suffering in this flame."

But Abraham said, "Son, remember that thou, in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they who would pass from here to you, cannot. Neither can they pass to us here, who would come from there."

Then the rich man said, "I pray thee therefore, father Abraham, that thou would send him to my father's house; for I have five brothers - that he may testify unto them lest they also come into this place of torment."

Abraham saith unto him, " They have the Holy Scriptures of Moses and the prophets - let them hear them."

And the rich man said, "Nay, father Abraham. But if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent."

And Abraham said unto the rich man in hell, "If they pay not attention to the Word of God; Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead!"

Friend, God's Word says there is a hell and He justly sends those who refuse Him while alive, to it when they die.

The rich man was a Jewish man who knew the Scriptures but paid no heed, trusting in his riches  and not giving thanks. The undertone of the story is that all who lived in this town or village, were aware of Lazarus and his needs, but many did not help him.

For Lazarus to be with Abraham, he would have believed in God's Word even though he was not rewarded on earth, his reward was in Heaven because he never lost faith in God.

Friend, the time we have on earth is but 80 - 100 years and the time after that is called eternity. This life is but a blimp in the whole life of our soul.

Choose wisely. Do not let riches and the "norms of the day" be your influence.

Trust God, believe and follow His lead and have life everlasting with Him who is Perfect Love, in the now and hereafter.