In the book of Luke 16:19-31, Jesus taught his disciples a parable about how to have a right attitude to handle wealth. This parable was used to rebuke the Pharisees, teachers of the law and other people who have too much love to their wealth and neglecting the true teaching of Jesus to help, feed, and uplift the poor for God has regard for the weak (Psalm 41:1). We'll ask why the rich man went to a tormenting place and suffered so much endlessly in hell after his death while the poor man was escorted by the angels in the bosom of Abraham or in heaven, a permanent beautiful and blissful place he'll live forever.
The rich man lived daily enjoying his wealth and he neglected the flight of a poor person Lazarus who comes to his gate daily to wait for the left over food from his table cause he is hungry. The rich had no regard for the need for the poor cause he does not love God (Psalm 10:4) and his dependence was on his wealth (I Timothy 6:17). He is like the young rich ruler who came to Jesus and asked, Rabbi, what should I need to do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said, sell all your possessions and give these to the poor. But he became so sad and left Jesus. He didn't obey the words of Jesus. While the poor man Lazarus was thrown by the society in a dumping place for the poor and his only thing he did everyday was to look for food for his sustenance. He has sores and not even qualified to work for other people cause of his physical ailment. His hope and dependence are in God's provisions and help. God is his only hope to survive in life (Proverbs 3:5-7).
God's holiness, love and justice were seen visibly and the rich man violated these through the kind of life he has shown in the parable. The two men wrote their own story and had decided for their own destiny. If you disobeyed the teaching of Jesus like the kind of life the rich man did when he had all the opportunities to live a life of faith in obedience to the will of God, he should not be in the tormenting place where he is up to now. It shows only that the soul of a person who rejected the call of God through his faithful men and women to repent and to turn away from his sins in order to inherit the kingdom of God was missed cause of disbelief and disobedience. He tried to be comforted and be refreshed even temporarily but his request from father Abraham was denied. He tried for the second time to save his five brothers so that they will not be tormented too as how he is experiencing in hell by requesting again father Abraham to send Lazarus back in life and remind his brothers personally to repent from their sins but he failed again cause all the prophets and even Moses were there already during their times. Its' up to the people whether they will respond in faith and repent from their sins or not cause they have the free will to decide for themselves.
Lazarus on the other hand was escorted by the angels in Abraham's bosom or heaven not because he is a poor but because he put his whole trust in God and lived a life pleasing to his sight. His soul went immediately in heaven, a place where there is no longer thirst and hunger, no more sickness and other issues in life and all are joyful and complete happiness in the presence of a loving and holy God (Revelation 21:4).
Brothers and sisters, the Lord is calling us to heed and to listen to his call through his words to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. His second coming is very near. The words of God in John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. That whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life". Come to me all of you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest from all your cares (Matthew 11:28-30). "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me (Revelation 3:20). Don't waste your great opportunities God has given you. If you're wise like king Solomon, you'll choose the best for you and others.
For more messages about life, death, hope, joy, love, strong marriage life and others, please visit our website in savelifewithjoy.com go to our blogs at hopeandlifeforyou.com and Eugene "EJ" Juarez. For your comments, suggestions and prayer requests, email us at agn623@gmail.com.
May our good and loving God bless you and keep you all always.
Forgiven life, the road to greatness
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