Eternal Choices: The Parable of Rich Man and Lazarus

 

Summary

In today's session, we explored the profound and sobering parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus from Luke 16. This parable presents a stark contrast between two lives and their eternal destinies. The rich man, often referred to as Dives, lived a life of opulence, dressed in fine linen, and enjoyed daily feasts. In contrast, Lazarus, a beggar covered in sores, lay at the rich man's gate, longing for mere crumbs. Despite his suffering, Lazarus found compassion only from the scavenger dogs that licked his wounds.

Upon their deaths, their roles reversed dramatically. Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham's bosom, a place of comfort and honor, while the rich man found himself in torment in Hades. The rich man, in his agony, pleaded with Abraham for relief, asking for Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue. Abraham reminded him of the great chasm fixed between them, emphasizing the permanence of their respective fates.

The rich man's second plea was for Lazarus to warn his five brothers, hoping to spare them from his fate. Abraham's response was poignant: if they would not listen to Moses and the prophets, they would not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead. This highlights the hardness of heart and the refusal to heed divine warnings.

This parable serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal consequences of our earthly choices. It challenges us to reflect on our priorities, urging us to listen to God's word and respond with repentance and compassion. The story underscores the urgency of making decisions that align with God's will while we still have the opportunity.

Key Takeaways:

- The parable illustrates the reversal of fortunes in the afterlife, emphasizing that earthly wealth and status do not determine one's eternal destiny. It challenges us to consider how we use our resources and whether we show compassion to those in need. [04:00]

- The rich man's plea for relief and his request for Lazarus to warn his brothers highlight the reality of eternal separation and the importance of heeding God's word now. It serves as a warning that once we pass from this life, our fate is sealed. [13:33]

- Abraham's response to the rich man underscores the sufficiency of Scripture as a guide for life and salvation. It reminds us that the Bible contains all we need to know about God's will and the path to eternal life. [19:14]

- The parable challenges us to examine our hearts and attitudes toward God's message. It warns against the danger of hardening our hearts and ignoring the call to repentance and faith. [20:02]

- Jesus' teaching in this parable is a call to action, urging us to make decisions that align with God's kingdom values. It emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's call while we have the chance, as there are no second chances after death. [21:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:41] - Introduction to the Parable
- [01:15] - The Rich Man's Life
- [02:15] - Lazarus' Suffering
- [03:11] - The Afterlife Reversal
- [04:00] - The Rich Man's Plea
- [05:01] - The Dogs' Compassion
- [05:53] - Personal Reflection
- [06:40] - The Beggar's Death
- [07:29] - Lazarus in Abraham's Bosom
- [08:29] - The Rich Man's Torment
- [09:25] - The Unbridgeable Chasm
- [10:24] - The Rich Man's Desperation
- [11:24] - The Finality of Judgment
- [12:41] - The Call to Repentance
- [13:33] - The Great Gulf
- [14:53] - No Second Chances
- [15:40] - The Warning of Scripture
- [16:38] - The Perfect Judge
- [17:32] - The Rich Man's Begging
- [18:17] - The Mission Request
- [19:14] - The Sufficiency of Scripture
- [20:02] - The Need for Repentance
- [21:06] - The Call to Listen
- [21:57] - Urgency of Decision

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Luke 16:19-31

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the contrasting lifestyles of the rich man and Lazarus as described in the parable? [01:15]
2. How does the parable describe the afterlife experiences of both the rich man and Lazarus? [02:15]
3. What request does the rich man make to Abraham, and what is Abraham's response? [03:11]
4. What does the parable say about the sufficiency of Moses and the prophets in guiding people to repentance? [19:14]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the reversal of fortunes between the rich man and Lazarus suggest about the values of God's kingdom? [12:41]
2. How does the parable illustrate the concept of eternal separation and the finality of judgment? [13:33]
3. In what ways does the parable challenge the audience to reflect on their own priorities and attitudes towards wealth and compassion? [04:00]
4. How does the rich man's plea for his brothers highlight the importance of heeding divine warnings in this life? [18:17]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you prioritize wealth or status over compassion and generosity? How can you realign your priorities to reflect God's kingdom values? [04:00]
2. The rich man realized too late the importance of repentance. Are there areas in your life where you feel God is calling you to change? What steps can you take this week to respond to that call? [21:57]
3. How do you currently engage with Scripture? Do you find it sufficient for guidance in your life? What changes can you make to deepen your understanding and application of God's word? [19:14]
4. Consider the relationships in your life. Are there people you need to show more compassion towards, like Lazarus? What specific actions can you take to demonstrate love and care for them? [05:01]
5. The parable warns against the danger of a hardened heart. Are there areas in your life where you resist God's message? How can you cultivate a more receptive heart to His teachings? [20:02]
6. Think about the urgency of making decisions that align with God's will. Is there a decision you've been postponing that you need to address? What steps will you take to act on it this week? [21:57]
7. How can you use your resources to make a positive impact on those in need around you? Identify one specific way you can help someone in your community this month. [04:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Earthly Wealth vs. Eternal Destiny
The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus presents a vivid contrast between earthly wealth and eternal destiny. The rich man, who lived in luxury, and Lazarus, who suffered in poverty, experienced a dramatic reversal of fortunes after death. This story challenges us to consider how we use our resources and whether we show compassion to those in need. It reminds us that earthly status does not determine our eternal fate, and we are called to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing compassion and generosity over material wealth. [04:00]

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life."

Reflection: How can you use your resources today to show compassion to someone in need, reflecting God's eternal values?


Day 2: The Reality of Eternal Separation
The rich man's plea for relief and his request for Lazarus to warn his brothers highlight the reality of eternal separation. Once we pass from this life, our fate is sealed, and there are no second chances. This serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of heeding God's word now. We are urged to live with an awareness of eternity, making choices that align with God's will and seeking to share His truth with others while we have the opportunity. [13:33]

Hebrews 9:27-28 (ESV): "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the hope of eternity? How can you share God's truth with them today?


Day 3: The Sufficiency of Scripture
Abraham's response to the rich man underscores the sufficiency of Scripture as a guide for life and salvation. The Bible contains all we need to know about God's will and the path to eternal life. This challenges us to prioritize God's word in our lives, seeking to understand and apply its teachings. We are reminded that the answers to life's deepest questions and the guidance we need are found in Scripture, and we are called to trust in its sufficiency. [19:14]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you make time today to engage with Scripture, allowing it to guide and shape your decisions?


Day 4: The Danger of a Hardened Heart
The parable challenges us to examine our hearts and attitudes toward God's message. It warns against the danger of hardening our hearts and ignoring the call to repentance and faith. The rich man's brothers had the opportunity to listen to Moses and the prophets, yet their hearts were hardened. We are called to remain open and responsive to God's voice, allowing His truth to transform us and lead us to repentance and faith. [20:02]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you sense God calling you to repentance? How can you respond to His call today with a softened heart?


Day 5: Urgency of Responding to God's Call
Jesus' teaching in this parable is a call to action, urging us to make decisions that align with God's kingdom values. It emphasizes the urgency of responding to God's call while we have the chance, as there are no second chances after death. We are encouraged to live with intentionality, seeking to align our lives with God's will and purpose. This involves making choices that reflect His love and truth, knowing that our time on earth is limited. [21:57]

Ephesians 5:15-17 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today to align your life more closely with God's kingdom values? How can you act on this decision with urgency?

Quotes


"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and faired sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus -- full of sores -- who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores." [00:01:15]

"So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, and being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his fingers in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame.'" [00:03:11]

"But Abraham said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise, Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot. Nor can those from there pass to us.'" [00:04:00]

"Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers that he may testify to them lest they also come to this place of torment.' Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them.'" [00:05:01]

"And he said, 'No, Father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' But he said to them, 'If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rise from the dead.'" [00:07:29]

"This is a terrifying parable. It's a parable that focuses attention on severe contrasts. The characters in the parable include, in the first instance, the rich man -- called Dives -- and the beggar, named Lazarus. The rich man is described in the most opulent terms. He dresses like royalty, in purple and fine linen, and he fares sumptuously not once a year or once a month, but his sumptuous style of living is a daily matter." [00:08:29]

"But in contrast to him, there was this beggar named Lazarus, who obviously had some kind of incurable, chronic skin disease that left his body covered with sores. He was not even able to move himself to the gate of the rich man, but had to be carried there -- presumably by friends. And there, he was laid at the gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table." [00:09:25]

"And so we were told the beggar died. And as soon as he died, he was accompanied not by friends or by relatives, but by the angels of God, so that in his dying breaths, as his eyelids closed to life in this world, the first thing that Lazarus saw after he died was the refulgent glory of the heavenly host, who picked this poor sorrowful beggar up in their arms and carried him to paradise and placed Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham." [00:11:24]

"Nothing is said of his burial. Nothing is said of a monument to him in this world. But we read that the rich man also died, and he was buried and where he went was not to the bosom of Abraham. He was not carried in glory by the angels of God, but was sent to be tormented in hell. And there, he lifted up his eyes, and he could see into the heavens, and he could see this miserable beggar now being grasped in the arms of Abraham, in glory." [00:12:41]

"Not only that, he says -- and this I think is perhaps the heaviest part of the whole parable -- 'Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us. Don't you understand, Dives, that between you, down there, and us, up here in the bosom of Abraham, there is an immeasurable chasm, an unbridgeable chasm?'" [00:13:33]

"Don't you understand that on your side of this gulf, on your side of the chasm, there are no provisions for parole? The sentence that has been given to you is forever. There is no hope of future probation. You had your probation. There is no hope, for a court of appeals that will get you out of there and free you for another place. And don't even entertain the idea of a second chance." [00:14:53]

"Jesus is telling the people who are listening to this -- you don't listen to Moses, you don't listen to the prophets, and when my Father raises Me from the dead, you still won't listen. The reason you won't listen is you don't want to listen. And you don't have ears to hear. And the reason why you don't have ears to hear is because you don't want to have ears to hear. Because you don't want God in your thinking, and you certainly don't want hell in your thinking." [00:21:06]

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Transcript
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