Stories of the Kingdom: Rich Man, Poor Man
Stories of the Kingdom:
Rich Man, Poor Man
Scripture: Luke 16:19-31
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Spiritual Life Development Officer
USA Southern Territory
The danger of wealth is not in having money and possessions but where it too often leads. It can make someone think he is smarter, more talented, more deserving than another without. There are many, many examples of wealthy people who understand what money can and cannot do, who live humbly as children of God and are aware of their obligations to others. But too many seem to live with an assumption that they have what they do because God or the fates have favored them above all others. The Bible clearly teaches that this is not so. If anything, wealth is like fire than can be used as a tool or can destroy. It can be as addictive as any drug, a remorseless master that cares little for the ruin it leaves in its wake.
A Study in Contrasts
There is no clearer story to illustrate this than the story of Lazarus and the rich man. Jesus described their separate situations by saying, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores” (Luke 16:19-21).
The words used to describe the rich man’s lifestyle in the original Greek are the same used to refer to gluttony. In describing this man, the Bible does not accuse him of any kind of open or flagrant sin. In many ways, he was quite respectable, was likely admired by his family and friends and trusted in business. He apparently was not openly cruel to Lazarus. He simply ignored him. He considered Lazarus merely a part of the scenery like scrub brush or litter.
Lazarus’ condition could not be more desperate, made worse because he sat so close to the opulence of the rich man’s home. He could see the wealth, the others of his class coming and going, hear the parties at night. Jesus mentioned a particular custom that emphasized the difference between the two men. In these days 
people ate with their hands. There were no napkins to clean their hands so a piece of bread was provided to wipe their fingers. The bread was then tossed aside for the dogs. The Bible says that Lazarus longed for these filthy scraps but instead lay weakened by hunger. A further indication of his misery was the reference to dogs. The dogs spoken of were not the house pets that we know, but street dogs, often vicious, wandering in packs and universally despised. When Lazarus was full of ulcerated sores, these otherwise savage animals showed the only pity Lazarus was to know by licking his sores.
The Great Equalizer
Death is known as the great equalizer but not in this story. Lazarus died as did the rich man. But there was a huge reversal in their fortunes. In the afterlife, Lazarus was cradled in the bosom of Abraham, a lovely reference to being in the presence of God, while the rich man was sentenced to a place of flame and torment. This was not because one was rich and the other poor but because in his poverty and hopelessness, Lazarus had trusted in God in spite of every outside indication that God had not cared for him at all. The rich man, thinking he was self-sufficient, found that he had no capital in eternity.
Even in eternity, there was still evidence of the rich man’s arrogance even in his plaintive cries for help. Twice he asked Abraham to send Lazarus. The first time he asked for him to fetch some water (vs. 24). The second time he asked for Lazarus to leave his place of comfort and bliss, to re-enter the world where he had known little but pain and to go to his five brothers, who very likely ignored him like the rich man, to deliver a personal message (vs. 27-28). It was as if the rich man, missing any of those who waited on him in life, thought he could employ poor Lazarus as a butler to do his bidding.
Appeal Denied
Both requests of the rich man were denied. The first request was rejected because in eternity there is a huge gulf separating the righteous and the wicked (vs. 26). Those who say they want to go to Hell because all their friends will be there need to read of the rich man’s anguish. Because the second request, also denied, was not to have a party with his brothers but to warn them to at all costs avoid a similar fate. The sad truth behind the denial is outlined here, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead” (vs. 31). People have the Bible in every format imaginable and in almost every part of North America even the shortest road trip involves passing numerous churches. To flip through TV channels or to scan the radio involves passing by stations that are dedicated to spreading the good news of salvation. Most people are given at least 70-80 years to decide for Christ. Those who die without Christ will not do so because of lack of opportunity to turn toward the Him but by purposely sidestepping Him.
Will you open the door to His call to you? Or will you, like the rich man, decide that as long as things are manageable that you’ve got this whole thing figured out? It’s not what you have in your hand that matters but who you have in your heart.
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Lord, please help us to remember that in all that we do, eternity hangs in the balance. We are constantly sowing seed that one day must be harvested. Without You, regardless of what we count as accomplishment, it will not matter. But with You, everything matters. Dear Lord, in this moment, I want to affirm that my soul is secure in You, that you are my Lord and Savior and that I never take that for granted. Salvation is too precious a gift to be treated as nothing. And I pray just now, that You will help me to witness to others about my gratitude for that gift. I look forward to the day when I can see You face to face and thank You. But for now, receive this prayer of thanks. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
India Central Territory
Thinking it Through
In the story of Lazarus in the rich man, wealth was a hindrance to the rich man knowing the Lord. What gets in the way for people today? Is it still true that the poor are more likely to turn to the Lord?
Notable Quotables
(Salvation) The worst man that ever walked will go to Heaven if he obtains it and the best man that ever lived will go to Hell if he misses it. Oh, publish it abroad! - William Booth
And now we join the Grace Community Church Choir and congregation in singing Charles Wesley's great hymn, "How Can It Be?"
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: [email protected] or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory