There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.''
There was this certain man, who was renowned for his riches and lavish lifestyle.
He dressed in purple and fine clothes. He was well reputed for his wealth.
However when he died, he ended up in hell.
On the contrary, the poor beggar, lived in pathetic conditions, all his life.
He had sores all over, the food he ate was the left overs falling from the table of the rich man. He apparently did not even get a complete meal as any normal human being would.
But, when he died he ended up by the side of Abraham, who is called the friend of God.
Friend of God has given a place of honor beside him to someone who lived, or rather who just existed during his life on earth, in down trodden conditions, with even dogs licking his sores.
People, what an exaltation !
As we are meditating on this, let us open our eyes and see ....
The riches and the wealth, the purple and the fine linen, the delicacies that the rich man took delight in did not give him the seat of honor that the poor beggar received, after they were gone.
People, don't we see this tendency in most of us?
Neither is a sign of assurance of a place in heaven.
In his pride, the rich man spared no time to know the requirements of God.
But in his poverty, all the beggar had to do, is look up to God, finding comfort in His unseen presence, and waiting on Him for deliverance, until he breathed his last.
Who is more blessed here, people?
The rich man or the beggar?
The wealth of the rich man only deceived him.
He perhaps felt there's nothing he lacks, therefore he can live in merry, and need not care for what God wants of him.
Is then, poverty a curse dear people ?
Why then most of us crave for the wealth and comforts of the world , considering poverty as a curse?
Jesus never lived a lavish life style. Did he?
Isn't this amazing?
We, who are born of God, must live like Jesus.
But, when he died he ended up by the side of Abraham, who is called the friend of God.
Friend of God has given a place of honor beside him to someone who lived, or rather who just existed during his life on earth, in down trodden conditions, with even dogs licking his sores.
People, what an exaltation !
As we are meditating on this, let us open our eyes and see ....
The riches and the wealth, the purple and the fine linen, the delicacies that the rich man took delight in did not give him the seat of honor that the poor beggar received, after they were gone.
There is one organ that the rich man emphasized, as we see in this portion of Scriptures, when he was speaking to Abraham.
Let's see what it is:
'' Luke 16 : 24 ' Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazaus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' ''
If we meditate on this verse, I understand that this rich man must have surely used his tongue in a displeasing manner, hurling insults, and despising the poor beggar for his condition. He surely must have questioned God arrogantly for keeping him in such a state.
People, don't we see this tendency in most of us?
When we see our fellow beings living in down-trodden conditions, first thing most of us think or say is, ''Oh, they are living in such a pathetic conditions ! They must have surely done something for which God has put them in such a state?!''
Don't many of us think/say this?
We look at the external living conditions of people, and make presumptions basing on their outward appearances.
We despise them and feel elevated for ourselves for the wealth that we perhaps have which the down trodden don't.
People, be careful !
We are nobody to question God or judge His people for the conditions their Maker is taking them through.
'' Isaiah 45 : 6,7 I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. ''
'' Isaiah 45 . 11, 12 '' This is what the Lord says -- the Holy One of Israel, and its Maker: Concerning things to come, do you question me about my children, or give me orders about the work of my hands ? It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. '' ''
Our God observes our speech, quite keenly.
Let us read this Scripture:
'' Malachi 3 : 16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name . '' They will be mine, '' says the Lord Almighty, '' in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between whose who serve God and those who do not. ''
'' ...and the Lord listened and heard '' - These words say that God surely takes interest in every word we speak, about Him and about His people. And He will show distinction between the righteous and the wicked.
The poor beggar who lived in bad conditions, now is given a place of honor besides father Abraham, in heaven. Nobody could have predicted that the beggar would gain such a favour in the sight of God.
During his life-span on earth, the beggar endured the hardship God allowed in his life.
'' Malachi 3 : 16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honoured his name . '' They will be mine, '' says the Lord Almighty, '' in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between whose who serve God and those who do not. ''
'' ...and the Lord listened and heard '' - These words say that God surely takes interest in every word we speak, about Him and about His people. And He will show distinction between the righteous and the wicked.
The poor beggar who lived in bad conditions, now is given a place of honor besides father Abraham, in heaven. Nobody could have predicted that the beggar would gain such a favour in the sight of God.
During his life-span on earth, the beggar endured the hardship God allowed in his life.
He lived in the conditions that God has put him in, and was content even with eating the food falling from the rich man's table.
Though dogs came and licked him, he surely made God his comfort and persevered all that he was taken through.
And when the time came, he was escorted by the angels of heaven to an honourbale seat, besides the friend of God - where as the rich man went to hell.
Dear people, isn't then, wealth deceptive?
Let us not be misled by the riches of the world and presume that having a comfortable wealthy life, is a sign of a place of honor in God's sight too.
Let us read Abraham's words :
'' Luke 16 : 25, 26 But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' ''
Dear people, isn't then, wealth deceptive?
Let us not be misled by the riches of the world and presume that having a comfortable wealthy life, is a sign of a place of honor in God's sight too.
Let us read Abraham's words :
'' Luke 16 : 25, 26 But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' ''
This clearly tells us that receiving good things in this short life-span on earth, and living a comfortable wealthy life is defnitely not a highway to heaven.
Neither is a sign of assurance of a place in heaven.
In his pride, the rich man spared no time to know the requirements of God.
But in his poverty, all the beggar had to do, is look up to God, finding comfort in His unseen presence, and waiting on Him for deliverance, until he breathed his last.
Who is more blessed here, people?
The rich man or the beggar?
The wealth of the rich man only deceived him.
He perhaps felt there's nothing he lacks, therefore he can live in merry, and need not care for what God wants of him.
He perhaps saw God in his wealth, and when he had abundance of everything he never thought about the life after his death.
And did not feel the need to know the right path to go to heaven.
On the contrary, the poverty of the beggar taught him to wait on God, hoping some day his Maker will grant him deliverance and set him free.
On the contrary, the poverty of the beggar taught him to wait on God, hoping some day his Maker will grant him deliverance and set him free.
It taught him humbleness and endurance.
His helpless conditions made him to make God His only help.
And his persistance in seeking God due to his helpless state, kept him connected to God all the days of his life. And when he left his earthly body, since his spirit was connected to God, he was taken to God's home.
Is then, poverty a curse dear people ?
Why then most of us crave for the wealth and comforts of the world , considering poverty as a curse?
Jesus never lived a lavish life style. Did he?
Let us look into the following Scriptures in Matthew and see how God provided the financial needs of Jesus, and how he paid the temple tax:
'' Matthew 17 : 24 - 27
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, ''Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?'' ''Yes, he does,'' he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. '' What do you think Simon? '' he asked. ''From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes -- from their own sons or others?'' ''From others,'' Peter answered. ''Then the sons are exempt,'' Jesus said to him.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. '' What do you think Simon? '' he asked. ''From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes -- from their own sons or others?'' ''From others,'' Peter answered. ''Then the sons are exempt,'' Jesus said to him.
''But so that we may not offend them go to the lake and throw out your line.
Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin.
Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.'' ''
Isn't this amazing?
When Jesus had to pay the temple tax, how supernaturally God the Father supplied
His Son, through a fish?
Jesus paid for Peter too!
We, who are born of God, must live like Jesus.
Not seeking after earthly riches, but after true riches that our heavenly Father bestows on us when we walk in reverence and humility before Him, keeping His requirements and doing His will.
He shall then supply our every need and make us a blessing to others!
'' 1 Peter 4 : 3-6 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do -- living in debauchery, lust, drunkeness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. ''
Now, when the rich man saw his destiny in hell, he requested Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers in order that they may repent. But Abraham said:
'' Luke 16 : 29 - 31 ''Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them. ' '' 'No father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' ''He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' ''
These words show that all these brothers together were living a sinful life, deliberately. Or else the rich man would have asked Abraham to send the gospel to his brothers, if at all they were ignorant of the Law of God. But he wants Lazarus to go from the dead, so that they will come to repentance.
This means they knew the Law of God, yet were stiffnecked.
Perhaps which is why Abraham says that if his brothers don't listen to Moses and the Prophets, even if Lazarus goes to them from the dead, they won't be convinced.
As we are meditating on these Scriptures dear God's people, let us introspect our lives - are we trying to see God in the abundant possessions of our lives and are being careless in keeping the requirements of God, despising those who have less and going through bad conditions, thinking we are God's favorite, therefore God has given us, and deprived the others because they are cursed !??
Dear people, be careful.
We might find ourselves begging for just one drop of water not being able to bear the agony in the fire of hell, for despising the children of the Most High, whom He made for His own purposes.
'' 2 Peter 3: 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.''
'' 2 Peter 3 : 11, 12 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward for the day of God and speed its coming.''
This hour, dear child of God, if the Spirit of God is reminding you of any such hasty careless behaviour and words you have perhaps uttered against the people of God who are undergoing sufferings, kneel down and confess in humility...
This hour, dear child of God, if the Spirit of God is reminding you of any such hasty careless behaviour and words you have perhaps uttered against the people of God who are undergoing sufferings, kneel down and confess in humility...
Cleanse yourself from every pride and deceitfulness your wealth has brought upon you and come back to your secured position in God, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Let us love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
Let us close by reading the following Scriptures that remind us of how our Maker wants us to be.
'' 1 Corinthians 13 : 3 - 7
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It awalys protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ''
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It awalys protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ''
'' Proverbs 15 : 2 - 4 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. ''
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. ''
'' Malachi 2 : 7 For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction--because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty. ''
'' Mark 12 : 41 - 44 Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, '' I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything -- all she had to live on. ''
God Bless You.
