THE PARABLE OF THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
Rev. Joey Crisostomo
Director for Central Operations
May 2, 2010
Key Scriptures
Luke 16
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores
21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sore.
22″The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.
23 In hell, where he was in torment
A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
– The use of wealth is the major topic of Luke 16.
– This famous story is known as the classic “Poor man’s Parable”
– To draw the lesson that it condemns the rich, however completely misses the point.
THE SETTING
– The Caution … 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own
– The Choice … 13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”
– The Condemnation …14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.
THE PROBLEM ADDRESSED
1. The problem Jesus dealt with in this parable is about their attitude about money and misconception about wealth.
> They thought wealth was a sign of spirituality and blessing from God.
> Their accumulation of wealth is a sign of righteousness
> They also thought that poverty was a result of sinfulness and cursing from God.
> They were sure that poor people were not going to go to heaven.
2. It is ironic that the Pharisees who prided themselves on being such Bible scholars largely missed the spirit of the Old Testament — mercy and justice.
THE CENTRAL TRUTH
15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts
– Social status and material possessions are no guarantee of ones standing with God.
– The Parable stressed the peril of Mammon and materialism
– The Peril of trusting in Riches and its wrong use.
The Details Interpreted … 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
A Contrast in Life
– The Rich Man …… 19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day
> The word luxury (lampros) means that he was displaying his wealth in materialistic ways.
> Everyday…self-indulgence ,sought the pleasures
> He was too occupied with his own wealth and pleasures
> He neglected and ignored others , most significantly Lazarus
> Riches were his god
– The Beggar… 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
> His situation … a beggar named Lazarus
> His pain … covered with sores
> His Poverty …21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.
The Details interpreted… 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.
A Contrast in Death
– The Beggar …… 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side
> He didn’t receive a proper burial or even a memorial service.
> Lazarus died and was escorted to paradise
– The Richman … The rich man also died and was buried.
> The rich man probably buried in state in the finest clothes and within the best grave and cemetery
A Contrast in Eternity
– The Beggar …22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.
> Lazarus lived on despite the body being dead
> Lazarus soul was immediately met by angels
> Lazarus was carried into the place where Abraham is: the paradise of God
The Details interpreted…The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell,[a] where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.‘
– The Rich Man
> The rich man was in hell …23 In hell
> The rich man was tormented… he was in torment,
> The rich man had a burning sensation … because I am in agony in this fire.’
> The rich man fixed in hell … so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
> The rich man’s requests refused … send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue … Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
LESSONS FOR US TODAY
– We need to evaluate our attitude towards wealth.
– We need to evaluate our attitudes towards those in need.
– We need to evaluate our attitude towards death.
– We need to evaluate our attitude towards eternity.
– We need to evaluate our attitude towards stewardship.