Here is an interesting teaching from Jesus. He tells a story of a rich man who lived in luxury. At the rich man's gate was a beggar who longed to receive any kind of blessing he could from the excess of the rich man but received only crumbs at best from the rich man's table. Then Jesus says "the time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried in hell, where he saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side (verses 22-24)."
Let us learn a couple things from this parable. We live in luxury and so we more easily relate to the rich man. So please reader be warned, do not let your prosperous position so crowd your life that you are unaware of beggars at your gate. Whether that is spiritual or physical, be warned. Take compassion. It is better to give than receive."Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)." Be rich towards God. Give and give and give expecting nothing in return. Bless those around you and give lavishly. That is the first piece of advise I can give you from this text.
Secondly, don't always assume that if you are blessed here on earth that God is your best friend. He disciplines those that he loves and "has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor (James 2:5-6)." What I am saying is this; "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus(the beggar) received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony (verse 25)." Instead of putting our trust and hope in the provisions we have received on this earth we need to put our hope in the Provider. We should turn all of our blessings into praise to Him who gave them graciously and we should make a habit of giving so we don't fall into the temptation of loving our stuff. Don't get in the habit of trusting in your money. Give as much as you can and then give even more. Money is such a stumbling block for so many. Don't let it be your Master.
Third, hell is hot. I fear that hell is scoffed at these days and most unfortunately in churches. Let scripture warn you, hell is real. "Have pity on me! If I could just get a drop of water on my tongue because I am in agony in this fire... please warn my family so they will not come to this place of torment," said the rich man. Hell is real. I know that sucks. Unfortunately, we can't dismiss that hell is real, so we should live in the reality of the news.
Lastly, listen to scriptures... "They have Moses and the Prophets; Let them listen to them (verse 29)." We have been warned and instructed by all of scriptures and I think we need to carefully 'listen to them.' For the rich man's family, Abraham says, "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (verse 31)." Scripture is enough. And we are studying it together. But let us be careful to listen to what it says. How is scripture transforming you lately? Or do you simply read and then forget? Are you applying these truths to your life? Or walking away unchanged? If you are not moved by scripture than a dead man walking into your life wont even have an effect on you. Pray that God would make your heart soft and receptive to the warnings of scripture.
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