Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. Luke 16:19 WEB
This line begins the parable Jesus teaches about a rich man living in luxury and a sickly beggar named Lazarus. The story relates how wealth can harden a man’s heart to the suffering of others. Also, it deals with the afterlife. Specifically, the parable teaches the spiritual lesson of judgment by a righteous God and the possibility of spending eternity in hell rather than heaven.
There is a direct relationship between what we do here on earth and the reward or punishment we receive in the hereafter. Jesus says in Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. WEB”
Obedience to God
Whether we are living in luxury or living with less, salvation comes by the grace of God through belief in Jesus Christ. As sinners by nature, we are called to repentance. This means that God desires that we turn away from sin and toward obedience to his will.
Each of us chooses whether we will live by the word of God or serve our carnal desire for sin in pursuit of material wealth and satisfaction. We can not serve both. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:24, ‘No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. WEB” Mammon is the biblical term for material riches.
Love One Another
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the love of money is the rich man’s sin. The story centers on the reversal of fortunes the men experience upon death. The rich man goes to hell and the poor suffering man goes to heaven. The man’s sin is not living in luxury or that he is rich. It is his love of money and lack of compassion for Lazarus that condemns the wealthy man.
Jesus teaches to love one another to the point of sacrifice. The Lord says in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. WEB” Putting the love of wealth ahead of devotion and obedience to the word and will of God leads many to ignore the suffering and needs of others. This is in direct conflict with the commands of God and leads to the undesirable outcome of condemnation.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the clarity of your holy word. Thank you for teaching the truth of love and sacrifice in your service as it serves the believer to serve you. Help me to live according to your word. Guide me to help those in need. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: I Have No One
