5 Eternal Lessons from the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16)

We continue our meditation on the passage in Luke 16, where Jesus spoke about the eternal state of two individuals, a rich man and a man named Lazarus, and where they ended up after death. The rich man was surprised to find himself in Hell.

The Real Sin of the Rich Man: Is Wealth a Sin?

This raises the question: Is it a sin to be wealthy? And does a poor person go to heaven simply because they are poor? If not, what sin condemned the rich man to Hell?

Lazarus and the Rich Man: A Contrast in Spiritual Need

Many sins could be attributed to the rich man, but his main sin was being inwardly satisfied without God. His life lacked need, centered only on pleasure and comfort. He might never have noticed or cared about Lazarus, which would have worsened his condemnation. Despite having the power to help Lazarus, he chose to ignore his suffering and death. He seemed to believe it was normal for Lazarus to suffer while he enjoyed luxury. Seeing a fellow human—hungry and hurting—and doing nothing highlights his neglect. Lazarus, on Earth without God, longed for Him and found mercy and grace in his need. The name Lazarus means "God is my help." The rich man, however, felt no need at all.

The Danger of Choosing a Life Without God

Throughout our lives on Earth, God gives us opportunities to answer His call and discover the way to His home. Seeking Christ and accepting the gift of eternal life is a universal need for everyone. After death, God will honor the choices we have made in life. If we choose to live without God while alive, He will respect that decision for eternity. If you haven't considered God or eternity, reach out to Him now while you still can experience His grace. Why delay even a second? Your spiritual enemy, the devil, may try to persuade you to postpone this decision, but Christ is waiting for you with open arms.

When the rich man realized that his position was fixed for eternity and that no one could come to help him, he replied to Abraham:

Two Denied Prayers: Why the Rich Man Remembered His Brothers

²⁷"He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, ²⁸for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' ²⁹"Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' ³⁰"'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' ³¹"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead' (Luke 16:27-31).

Why was the former wealthy man so concerned about his brothers still on Earth? He prayed twice while in Hell. The first was for water; the second was for his brothers on Earth. Both prayers were denied. He had been unfaithful in caring for those around him, especially his brothers. He set the most corrupting example on Earth—the example of a man content without God. Now in Hell, he recalled that his brothers were living by the model he had set, namely, a contented life without God. As we have stated elsewhere, each of us influences others for better or worse. Let us commit ourselves to being faithful to those who model their lives after us: our brothers, our sisters, our sons, daughters, and close relatives. We must live wholeheartedly for Christ. Other lives depend on it.

On what grounds were the rich man's brothers denied a messenger? The former rich man was told they had the Word of God (at that time, they possessed the writings of Moses and the prophets). The Scriptures provided all the witnesses they needed. God's written Word is the most crucial evidence for preparing for eternal life, and it is disregarded at significant risk to one's eternal fate beyond the grave.

What are the key takeaways from this passage in Luke 16?

5 Life-Changing Lessons from Luke 16

1)    The first lesson is that the time to seek the Lord is now, not to put it off.

2)    Secondly, there are consequences to our actions that are not always felt on Earth but follow us into eternity.

3)    The third lesson from this passage is that we influence others more than we realize on Earth.

4)    Fourth, God's Word is the most critical evidence to prepare us for eternal life.

5)    No matter our economic position in this world, if we don't have Christ, we don't have life as God intended (1 John 5:12). Keith Thomas

Continue Your Journey…

This devotional is part of our Insights into Eternity series. If you want to dive deeper into what God has planned for your future, continue to the next lesson: Is Hell a Real Place?