A warning to the Rich and Powerful
Jesus told this story,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“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 was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31
The Jesus and indeed all the gospel writers talked about relationships. About ones relationship with God and with ones relationship with ones fellow man.
In the above scripture Jesus tells of a rich man who could have made a difference in a poor man’s life. He could have shown compassion on the poor man. Given him something to eat, but chose not to.
This rich man seems to have ignored or not believed in God. He certainly didn’t believe he would face consequences for his actions.
Jesus who said,
"Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
By not helping the poor man and letting him suffer he was in a sense saying that’s how he wanted to be treated. Which is what happened according to the story Jesus told.
In the next life he was suffering while the poor man was at peace.
This story should serve as a warning to anyone in a position of power. Anyone who has the ability to help those in need.
It is saying while you may enjoy the good life here in this world. While you may disregard the needs of the poor and not help them. You will be held accountable when you stand before God.
Please think about it.
Jesus told this story,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“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 was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31
The Jesus and indeed all the gospel writers talked about relationships. About ones relationship with God and with ones relationship with ones fellow man.
In the above scripture Jesus tells of a rich man who could have made a difference in a poor man’s life. He could have shown compassion on the poor man. Given him something to eat, but chose not to.
This rich man seems to have ignored or not believed in God. He certainly didn’t believe he would face consequences for his actions.
Jesus who said,
"Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
By not helping the poor man and letting him suffer he was in a sense saying that’s how he wanted to be treated. Which is what happened according to the story Jesus told.
In the next life he was suffering while the poor man was at peace.
This story should serve as a warning to anyone in a position of power. Anyone who has the ability to help those in need.
It is saying while you may enjoy the good life here in this world. While you may disregard the needs of the poor and not help them. You will be held accountable when you stand before God.
Please think about it.
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