Why is money such a common topic in Jesus’ preaching? Could it be that our wealth is a test? Could the way we handle money reveal whether we choose heaven or hell for all eternity? Let’s discuss this and the Great Reversal in Luke 16:19-31.
Rich
Luke 16:19 Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury.”
God hates covetousness (Exodus 18:21), high taxes (1 Samuel 8:10-18), robbing others’ inheritance (Micah 2:1-5), coveting what others stole from us (Luke 12:13-21), selfish accumulation (Luke 16:19-31), and swindling (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Covetousness causes conflict (James 4:1-4) and false religion (2 Peter 2).
A social gospel is misunderstood. The Gospel story of a selfish rich man who was hard-hearted towards poor Lazarus is an example. This passage does not require good works before salvation, but social responsibility towards others ought to be clearly evident among those who believe, in how we treat others.
Poor
Luke 16:20-21 “At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21 As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.”
Folklore names the rich man Dives. But in reality, the destitute beggar has a name but not the rich man. Is this how God looks at the world? Do the homeless who believe have a name in heaven, but do selfish and uncaring materialists have no name and no fame?
Bullies seem to be in every walk of life. They serve self, not the self-sacrificial leadership we find in Jesus. This bully, even in hell continued to bark orders. Another lesson for us is that if we do not have compassion on the weak, we are no better than bullies.
A so-called success, was a great failure in care of the less fortunate. A selfish salvation, not saving others is an oxymoron. Salvation is something that a person shares, both physical salvation for this life and eternal salvation for the next. Lacking compassion, is one of life’s greatest ethical failures.
Death
Luke 16:22-23 “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.”
For soul-sleepers, those believing the soul sleeps between death and the resurrection, this story is difficult to explain away. Other difficult passages for soul-sleepers are Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:21-24; and Revelation 6:9-11. The theory of soul sleep pretends these passages are mere metaphors.
Jesus used ancient Greek mythology of Hades to explain an aspect of the afterlife. Is it a sin to be rich? No. But, wealth and luxury deceive us into thinking that we have no responsibility towards those around us who are suffering. Building walls around us cannot remove our guilt.
Many theologians will tell us that we must be humble and admit that many questions about details of hell remain unanswered. Certainly, heaven is good and hell is bad. Hell is painfully bad. There will be horrible suffering of some kind there. Heaven is wonderfully good. So, let's choose heaven!
Ed Hill gave 3 reasons he didn’t want hell. 1) He didn’t like pain. Hell includes suffering. 2) He didn’t like bad company. Hell is full of people who cause misery. 3) He wants to be with the One who loves us more than anyone else in the world, God.
Hell
Luke 16:24 “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’”
There are many questions about hell (Mark 9:43-45; Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 14:10-11, 20:10-15). Is it literal, symbolic, eternal suffering, sadistic, loving, a choice, or predestination? Theologians have a wide variety of theories, but one area of agreement. All descriptions of hell are negative. Don’t choose hell.
Life after death is sometimes called the Great Reversal. Heaven’s opinion is very different than high society. Possessions and status symbols are unimportant. What was the rich man’s problem? It was not his wealth, but what he had allowed his wealth to do to him, neglected his obligation to Lazarus.
Great Chasm
Luke 16:25-26 “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’”
This reminds the wealthy of social responsibilities, and the poor that they count for a great deal in heaven. Wealth and power are not tools for self-indulgence, but obligations to be used wisely in service to others. Jesus joins the street beggar to care for him and relieve his suffering.
Being rich is not a problem. Being hard-hearted is. How do we overcome such a hard heart? Not by throwing crumbs at the poor and beating a hasty retreat. The Good Samaritan got involved. God is seeking compassionate people to get involved in relieving the suffering of the poor.
Blaming the poor for their poverty is ignorance of the facts. Many poor are unable to rise above their circumstances. In the parable Lazarus was dumped at the rich man’s gate to beg indicating an inability to walk there on his own. His only physical salvation was in compassion from others.
There is a divide in education, recreation and business. Many wealthy support and enforce separation. God gives us freedom to decide, but our decisions in this life determine our eternity. After they died, the gulf between Lazarus and the rich man continued. But this time, their individual situations were reversed.
Persuasion
Luke 16:27-31 “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28 For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29 “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30 “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31 “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Jesus’ story of Lazarus and the Rich Man supports what the Old Testament taught, an obligation to the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Isaiah 3:14-15; Jeremiah 5:26-28; Ezekiel 18:12-18; Amos 2:6-8; Zechariah 7:9-10). God demands that we do not oppress the widow, fatherless, foreigner or the poor.
Does God exist? Evidence is ubiquitous, yet many disbelieve. Faith determines whether evidence is accepted or not. The rich man suggested that if someone from the dead warned his brothers, they would repent. Abraham said that they would not. More evidence will not convince a hard-hearted person against their will.
There are two kinds of people in the world, givers and takers. Hard-hearted selfishness is the road to hell. Jesus teaches us to be givers. The Holy Spirit leads us to be givers, and that is what is practiced by those bound for heaven.
New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
