The account of the rich man and Lazarus of Luke 16:19-31 is an interesting story. Told by Jesus to His disciples, it is packed with important lessons and warnings concerning life here on earth as well as reaching heaven when this short life is over.

The story itself is considered to be a parable by some and not by others. Jesus does not call it a parable nor does He introduce it with the word “like’ as He does with many of His parables. If it is a parable it is the only one which contains the names of actual people, Lazarus and Abraham. Whether or not it is a parable really has little significance, all of Jesus’ stories dealt with truth and reality and its lessons can be applied to our circumstances today.

The story considers two individuals, the rich man and Lazarus. One of these is lost and the other saved. Each of us will follow in the footsteps of one of these individuals. To follow the rich man leads to hell, the path of Lazarus leads to eternal life in heaven. All of us need to consider carefully which path we trod.

The story clearly shows that at death we will be fully aware of our circumstances and of our eternal fate. The rich man lifted up his eyes being in torment suffering in flaming fire. On the other hand Lazarus was in a place of comfort Jesus calls Abraham’s bosom. On the cross He calls it paradise. When we die, we do not simple cease to exist as some teach that the lost do.

Some have thought that the story condemns being rich however this cannot be the case since there are two rich men in the story, Abraham was also rich in life.

Yet one rich man was suffering, the other was not. Rather it obviously teaches that earthly riches alone are not sufficient to reach heaven. The rich man had all this world could offer materially but was not rich toward God. Lazarus was just the opposite, his faith and trust were in God.

Perhaps the greatest lesson we might learn from this story is how to avoid following in the steps of the rich man. The rich man, in his concern for his five brothers left behind living on the earth asks that Lazarus be sent to warn them not to come to this place of torment. Abraham answers that “they have Moses and the prophets let them hear them”. The rich man being unsatisfied with this answer responds “but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. Abraham’s answer “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

The rich man felt that this miracle would open the eyes of his brothers. The lesson to be learned is that if we are not willing to listen to God through His written word we would neither be persuaded though one raised from the dead. Many witnessed the miracles of Jesus and even His resurrection from the dead yet were not converted. This it as true today as it was two thousand years ago. Do not wait for some miracle to happen in your life. God’s word calls you to repentance. Please listen and obey.

Send comments or questions to the Clintwood Church of Christ, POB 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228 or e-mail me at bryanwa@ntelos.net Check out our web site at clintwoodchurchofchrist.com