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The Parables #119

The rich man and Lazarus, Pt4.

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31.

We have been looking at some preliminary matters related to the setting of this parable as recorded in verses 19-21. Now I want to consider in some detail just what the Saviour says.

Please note that the Saviour wants us to understand that man does not cease to be when he dies! All who have died up to this moment still exist. They still exist as the person they were while alive, verses 22-23. Who they had been before they continue to be!

Upon death, there is a separating of the saved and the lost. We are required to separate ourselves from wicked people as much as possible here on earth, Psalm 1:1, Ephesians 5:11, 2 Thess 3:14. Full and complete separation is not possible here. “Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world,” 1 Cor 5:10. But when we die we will be separated completely from sinners.

Punishment for the unsaved and blessing for the saved begins immediately upon death. Of course, these attend the both parties here on earth, but there is a fulness to these after death. Psalm 1:1, 32:2, 34:8. Likewise for the sinner. “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity,” Proverbs 22:8. Galatians 6:7-8. But while trouble follows the sinner he will enter into it in fuller measure when he dies.

We have this truth set forth in the words of the Saviour. “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 lift up his eyes, being in torments,” verses 22-23.

The circumstances of the beggar improved above measure while those of the rich man plummeted!

The beggar was carried into the paradise reserved for the saints while the rich man went to a place of torment, all pleasure ended!

Note the role of angels in the lives of the redeemed, Hebrews 1:14.

Death seals our eternal state. Whatever state we are in when we die, we cannot alter it. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment,” Hebrews 9:27. The word ‘judgment’ refers to ‘separation’. The beggar and the rich man were separated from each other by ‘a great gulf’, verse 26.

Boys and girls, our life is the only opportunity we have of getting ready for eternity. Do not miss your chance. “To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts,” Hebrews 3:7-8.

Do not harden your hearts against the voice of the Lord Jesus calling you to Himself for salvation. Rather say like Samuel: “Speak; for thy servant heareth, 1 Samuel 3:10.

The Parables #118

The rich man and Lazarus, Pt3.

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31.

Stream or download The Parables #118

The circumstances of men in this world differ greatly. One may have an abundance of this world’s goods while another is bereft of such luxuries! Yet if you were to measure these two men by such things how wrong you would be! The one surrounded by earth’s bounty went to hell while the poor beggar went to heaven!

We must not measure a man’s true condition by outward appearances! Consider how Paul the apostle was viewed by men. “We are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day,” 1 Corinthians 4:13. Paul says that the world considers him as something akin to that which you would ‘scrape off your shoe’! Yet he was one of God’s great men, a prince of the Kingdom of God! His influence and witness have pointed millions to the unsearchable riches of salvation!

Men need to be taught about the deceitfulness of riches!

“He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch,” Proverbs 11:28.

“Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven,” Proverbs 23:5. “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,” Mark 10:23-25.

RICHES are a great deceiver and many spend their life seeking them and miss heaven and find themselves eternally in hell as a consequence. Remember the parable of the ‘Sower’ in Luke 8! “And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection,” verse 14. The Saviour warns of the ‘choking’ power of riches. They can ‘choke off’ the precious influences of the Gospel and rob a man of heaven! That is the theme of this parable.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy,” 1 Timothy 6:17

A right understanding of the true value of this world’s riches will have eternal benefits.

“And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,” Rev 18:16-17.

Here is true riches and how they may be obtained. “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich,” 2 Corinthians 8:9. If we receive the crucified Saviour we are rich indeed!

The Parables #117

The rich man and Lazarus, Pt2.

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31.

Stream or download The parables #117

I believe that, strictly speaking, this well known portion of God’s Word most likely is not a parable but an actual event! It does not have the common preface of a parable: “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying . . . . ,” or “For the kingdom of heaven is as . . . . ”

However, not every parable had such an introduction as this. The last parable that we studied, the sheep and the goats, was not identified as a parable but it undoubtedly was. Indeed, this chapter starts off with very similar words to those at the beginning of our study today, verse 1. So we cannot be dogmatic, nevertheless, I am inclined to believe that this is an account of actual events known to the Saviour.

This passage in Luke speaks of that which is literal and is not figurative! That is important for us to remember. The passage opens: “There was a certain rich man . . . ” Since it’s commonly considered one of the parables of the Saviour we will include in our study of the parables.

What vital truths it teaches us and that most vividly!

The context in which this narrative appears is set for us in the opening verses of the chapter. The Saviour is speaking of the deceitful and treacherous nature of riches.