Luke 16, Part 3

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31

Observation: The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. In life, the rich man is prosperous, dresses well, eats rich foods, lives a life of luxury. Lazarus is pitiful; he is filled with sores and eats what hopefully falls from the rich man's table. It appears God has blessed the rich man, while Lazarus is paying for his sins. But the tables turn when both men die. Their eternal destinations cannot be bought with money. Lazarus is with Abraham; the rich man is in hell. The rich man tries to negotiate a relief from his torment. But he is judged by the life he led, and is outside of the eternal blessing. Now the rich man begins to think of others, his family left behind. But Abraham tells him they won't even listen to Moses and the prophets. It's useless to send someone from the dead.

Application: This story is not about money. It's about our heart, the root of our hearts. Where do they reach? Are we so atracted to wealth and leisurely living that we ignore the needs of those around us? Are we more concerned about our own comforts, or the comforts of the less fortunate? It's about where our treasure lies.

Prayer: Father we are constantly bombarded with advertisements that say we don't have enough. Yet Your Word promises that You will never leave us, and You give us sufficient to live on. I don't want to be greedy. I want to be satisfied with what You provide, and willing to give compassionately to those in need. Erase selfishness from my heart Lord, and make me more like You. In Christ Jesus' name I pray, Amen.