Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
(Notice: That this rich man’s name is not given, not recognized? but on the other hand the poor beggar we are told God knew his name)
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 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;
(Notice: one is carried to heaven the other is simply buried, one is carried by angels the other covered by dirt, why?)
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
( That’s the difference and distance between heaven and hell, sin vs. the Son, grace vs. guilt, salvation vs. damnation, the Divine vs. the demonic. Your destiny lies in which you chose)
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Hum 5 minutes in hell & he became a soul winner, maybe a little bit of hell will wake some of us up? )
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
( Hum some folks are so dead in their sin and unbelief that not even a divine resurrection would open their blinded minds and deceived hearts )
Thoughts and reflections: What an amazing paradox One lives for the pleasures of life. Seemingly blessed of God or could it be cursed of the devil? Then another lives in ragged poverty, stricken by sickness and ravaged by disease, befriended not by humans but dogs. Cursed by man but cared for by angels, ignored by man but not God. Those who seem so unworthy of riches and blessings bask in them while those we pity suffer such pain and misery. Life often seems that way doesn’t it? So unfair, so cruel, so difficult. Hum.. But then again circumstances and situations in life can be so deceiving. Here’s the catch the sum total of our lives is not determined by what happens when we die but what we did while we were alive! The sum total is not our death but our resurrection! therein are the true rewards and purpose of our lives.
By the way did anybody notice that it was never said of this rich man who went to hell. That he lied, cheated, stole, killed or raped only that he didn’t give.
“ to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not it is sin “
I wonder if we could take another look at the characters in this story might we see something we missed? If only somehow we could step into their shoes ..First there was this rich man, Life had been so good to him, lets join him as he awakens to his day.
Oh its going to be another one of those day’s I can tell, why I can already hear that pest of a human garbage pile, that beggar always at my gate. I wish he would die! Yeah the world is filled with these freeloaders, lazy bums, no good for nothing drunks, and the smell. My God the smell wish he would take a bath some day.
Why do they bother me I’m not God, pathetic disgrace to our human race they are. ( Hum some of you are wondering how can one be so cruel, so inconsiderate, then again some of you can identify with these words and thoughts because you have uttered and thought them yourself of others. Some of you have heard them)
But back to the story, after all that’s all it is just a story or is it? ... Look buster I would help you but you would only end up this way again cuz it’s ur destiny your name is failure and me well I‘m Mr. success! Or maybe the rich man was not as heartless as we think, maybe he felt pity, maybe he felt concern. But you know being a successful businessman he had a full schedule. No time for petty things in life, besides there are others who will give, why I had to start from the bottom. I once knew what hunger was and nobody helped me, I had to do it on my own. Got a mortgage to pay, and bills to meet, business to run, people depend on me, hey I give to the Church once in a while. Besides we shouldn’t be giving hand outs but teach them to fish instead, yeah I like that one. I think I heard it in Church some where.
Hum that’s odd he wouldn’t even find the time to dig in his pocket for some chump change let alone take time to teach anyone to fish for a living. A lot of us are like that we like the scriptural platitudes that excuse our unconcern and failure to act, then we walk away with dignified suspicion)
You know people keep telling me I’m getting old and should make plans for my future and my funeral. Why I’m living the good life, I’m rich, I’m secure, it will be fine for me. Besides when its over its over! I’ve paid my way through life and I will pay my way through death. Money is everything. Why should I worry?
Heb 9:27 “.. it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”
Then there was the poor beggar. (Ah you may not want to step into these shoes. But you may also be surprised and shamed by his attitude and fortitude and hopefully changed at the least.) ..Ah what a wonderful day! I can smell the sweet fragrance of flowers as the wind blows softly across my face almost as if my God was breathing blessing upon me, then again why not. Oh that delicious aroma I smell coming from the residence of Mr. Idon kare I sure hope he’ll feel good enough to at least give me some crumbs ..umm But either way I know my God will provide he always does. I only wish I was strong and healthy so I could work and provide my own needs. I must admit sometimes it’s so uncomfortable here, I feel so useless, so pitied, so dejected. So dependant upon others, others who seem not to care. Ouch o there goes that terrible pain again in my back again. Ugh all over my body for that matter, sometimes it just seems so severe, and these painful sores they never seem to heal. Except after when those dogs named Pity, Faithful and Charity come and lick them. Which I’ll never know why but it does sooth me somewhat just the same. Strange how dogs give me love and acceptance, encouragement and aid. Yet my own deny me and ridicule me. O daddy I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining.
It’s just that this old body doesn’t seem to want to respond to my commands anymore, doesn‘t seem to want to go on anymore, perhaps I‘m ready to go home now dad. You know how much I look forward to gazing upon your beauty and wonder. To feel ur touch, to sense ur presence, to smell the fragrance of angelic worship, to hear the sounds of heavenly praise! Ah but I can sense your touch and presence here even know. Thank you Lord! It’s been a long day Lord so as I lay my head to sleep, I pray my soul for you to keep!
A PRAYER: Dear Lord Oh how I to long for ur touch and ur presence, I thank you that I don’t have to wait till death to experience you. Why I praise you! You are so wonderful, so kind, so generous, please forgive me for the many times when I doubt you, for the times when I become insensitive to the needs around me. Forgive me father for when I just don’t care about others, when I’m to busy to even notice their pain. Remind me that you have set me free from the beggar mentality. Free from the I don’ need you mentality, free from the I don’t care mentality. Matter a fact thank you for the beggars in my mist that serve to remind me of my obligation to care and to give, to share and to love, for reminding me that their is a God greater than our pain, greater than out needs. Thank you fro the times when others have forsaken my needs and didn’t care? For it taught me to depend on you rather than man. Taught me to learn to exercise my faith, my trust, ‘” For works without faith is dead” Oh blessed be your Holy name! thank you daddy. Thank you that there is hope beyond my misery, my death, my distorted vision and view of things. I pray that I will be found faithful unto you and to my fellow brothers and sisters. Oh and Lord I want to pray for those who are the beggars in our world, that You would help them, bless them, heal them. They to need your love, protection and provision. I pray for those who are neglected and persecuted. Who are confused and sick, I pray also for the rich ones in our world who have been deceived and destroyed by the love of money. Who have been blinded by greed, fame and fortune. May they too see Jesus! amennnnnnn
Prepared by Rev. George R. Nava 209-465-9731 web page- http://gospelstuffs.homestead.com/index.html