2011-01-17 - What Would a Rich Man Say?

What Would They Say Series #4

Luke 16:19-31

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." (Luke 16:25)

I was a rich man; I wore expensive clothes and ate gourmet meals every day. Outside my gate, a poor man named Lazarus hung out. He was not entirely alone; dogs licked the sores on his body. All Lazarus wanted was to eat the food scraps that fell from my table, but I declined the request. If I started feeding Lazarus, then every poor man would be outside the gate, expecting the same thing.

Later, Lazarus died and went to Heaven. I also died and went to the other direction, a place of torment. All I wanted was mercy, and for Lazarus to give me some water to relieve me from the horrendous heat. The tables were now turned. I was asking Lazarus for something. There wasn't open communication between the two places, so Lazarus could not come to my aid. If I couldn't receive any relief, at least my family could be warned about this place. It would be nice to have their company, but I didn't wish this type of torture on anyone.

My family wasn't allowed to be warned. Abraham, the prophet in Heaven, informed me that my family would have the same opportunity as I did to live right and treat people fairly. I knew they were as obstinate as I was. Change your ways. Change your ways, I yelled. If only my family members could hear me.

Lord, May I live an existence I will not regret. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Is there a time from your own personal history you'd like to change?

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