Luke 16:19-23
Our passage today is a familiar one. It is often explained during wakes and funerals. This story (others say it is a parable) was Jesus’ answer to the Pharisees who were “lovers of money” – “And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him” (v. 14). The Pharisees “derided” i.e. criticized, mocked, made fun of or showed contempt to Jesus. Our world today is full of such people and many of them even attend church and listen to sermons preached. In this story Jesus attacked the doctrine of selfishness. Man exalts wealth, but God treats it with contempt. “And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (v. 15).
God hates covetousness! Let us not forget this. The love of worldly wealth, the display of worldly wealth, the ambition for worldly wealth and the vices associated with worldly wealth are all an abomination in the sight of God.
I. GOD ALLOTS DIFFERENT CONDITIONS TO DIFFERENT MEN – “There was a certain rich man…And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus…” (vv. 19,20).
Being rich and being poor is not sin. God creates both rich and poor people. “The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all” (Prov. 22:2). In this account Jesus says nothing good or bad of riches or poverty. He merely describes the circumstances of both men. He praises nor condemns any of them.
In this fallen world it is foolish thinking to make all men equal. As long as there is sin in this world with the devil as god of this world, men will always be unequal. Some are rich and many are poor. That just the way it is. It is sin that creates this discrepancy. It is sin that made some people rich and many people poor. But when Jesus returns and recreates this fallen world, there will be no more rich people and poor people. The rich man and the beggar are symbols of two classes of people which will always be in the world until Jesus returns.
II. MAN’S TEMPORAL CONDITION DOES NOT REVEAL THE TRUE CONDITION OF HIS SOUL – “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores” (vv. 19,20).
1. The Rich Man – His Temporal Condition
The rich man in this story had a good life – “was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day.” He seems to have every thing his heart wished. “Money answereth all things” (Eccl. 10:19). “The rich hath many friends” (Prov. 14:20). Rich people enjoy life more than others! But riches are a façade. Riches often give a false impression. You take away riches and what happens to rich people? Their true color becomes evident. They are spiritually poor and destitute – nothing after death, nothing beyond the grave, nothing in the world to come. Of course not all rich people are like this; but most are.
Material riches do not depict the real condition of the soul. A man can be very rich but impoverished in the spirit. Often a display of wealth reveals an impoverished soul. The rich man was poor because he was without God, without Christ, without faith, without grace, without pardon, without holiness, he will live for a few years on earth and will hopelessly go down to hell. The “rich” man was actually “very poor.”
2. The Beggar – His Temporal Condition
The beggar was named Lazarus and “was laid at his gate, full of sores.” This person is probably one that has literally nothing in this world. He was absolutely poor and miserable. Lazarus had no money, no house to live in, no food, no friends (except for the dogs, v. 21), no good health (he was full of sores), no clothes, and he was literally forgotten by loved ones, friends and by his rich neighbor.
But Lazarus’ soul had a different condition. He was temporarily poor but his soul/spirit was rich! He was a child of God. The name “Lazarus” means “he whom God helps” (an abbreviation of Eleazar). He was a child of God. He was an heir of glory. He possessed eternal and enduring riches. God was preparing a place for him in paradise (or heaven). He will feast at the Lord’s table. He will be clothed in righteousness. His name was in the Book of Life. “Poor Lazarus” was actually “rich Lazarus.”
3. God’s Standard is Different from Ours
In worldly standards people measure each other by the amount of their income and material possessions. When God looks at people he doesn’t consider the things that they have or possess. He doesn’t look at people’s money, lands, cars, houses, degrees, titles – things which are highly esteemed by the world. He only looks at the state/condition of the soul/spirit and reckons them accordingly. “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5). What God looks at in people are their faith and their love for him. Don’t be impressed with material wealth – we are surrounded with that! Don’t be awed by rich people. Instead look for faith and love for God in people. For truly such are the rich in the sight of God.
III. BOTH RICH AND POOR WILL END UP IN THE GRAVE – “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” (v. 22).
1. Death is the destiny of all men. All the works, accomplishments, planning, scheming, and everything that men and women do will one day end in death. All will return to dust (Gen. 3:19).
2. Death is the great equalizer of men. Death spares no one (except Enoch and Elijah). Death respects no one (rich, poor, educated, unlearned, etc.). Money, doctors, thick walls and education cannot stop death.
3. Death is working now in everyone of us. We see of death in us. We are growing old, getting sick and weaker. The signs of death and decay are all around us and even in us.
IV. PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT IS THE DEATH OF HIS SAINT – “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” (v. 22).
No doubt the rich man’s wake and funeral was materially splendid. Friends, flowers and food were abundant. In contrast nobody attended to Lazarus’ dead body. Probably it was wrapped in an old mat and dumped in a hole somewhere in the cemetery. No friends visited, no flowers were given, and no food came.
But notice the difference – Lazarus’ soul/spirit was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom! No human friends came but angels did come. When a believer’s work is done, the angels of God shall come for him, just like Lazarus, and carry him safe home in glory. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Ps. 116:15).
V. THE SIN OF SELFISHNESS WILL ETERNALLY DAMN ONE’S SOUL – “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day…In hell, where he was in torment…Abraham said to him, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things…” (vv. 19,23,25).
Lazarus was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; the rich man ended up in hell (hades) being tormented by the flames.
1. Beware of living only for ourselves. This is the converse of Philippians 1:21 – “For to me to live is myself and to die is loosing everything.” If we live only for ourselves, we shall ruin our souls for all eternity.
2. Beware of the peril of sins of omissions. The rich man no doubt knew Lazarus was laid at his gate, but he did nothing about it. The sins of omission are very dangerous. Not doing what you are supposed to do have eternal consequences. This was Jesus’ indictment to those who ignored him – “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not” (Mt. 25:42,43).
3. Be aware that riches bring special dangers with them. Material wealth (or money) – the very thing many strive after – is loaded with spiritual peril. Love of money hardens the heart and closes the wallet; the love of money blinds the eyes of faith; the love of money makes men and women forget God and the love of money will keep a soul from heaven. Jesus said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23,24).
If there is one thing that will never satisfy people, it is money. Someone said, “Money is like sea water; the more you drink it, the thirstier you get.” Better be a poor man who loves God than a rich man who forgets God.
4. Be aware that in the last days selfishness will be prevalent. The apostle Paul says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous…” (2 Tim. 3:1,2). If we love our souls we should be very careful with the way we handle our money.
Lessons For Us
1. It is your great duty to constantly examine your heart. “Am I selfish or not?” Paul writes, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5).
Ask yourself this question, “Have I given more to God or more to myself?” “Is my giving to God whole, complete and sacrificial or is it substandard, incomplete and without sacrifice whatsoever?”
2. Have the habit of being generous to your local church. “Giving begins in the House of God.” “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).
Your “household of faith” begins in your local church. Note the word “especially” (de). It means “chiefly, most of all, above all.” Before extending generosity to others (to all people, including unbelievers), we give most to our local church, our own household of faith.
3. You cannot keep your money forever. It can bring your soul to hell or give you rewards in eternity someday. Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Mt. 6:19-21). The only way to keep your money is to “lay it in heaven.” How do you do that? By giving to God and to his work on earth.
THE SMALL PASTOR 