19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
At the very least, the beginning of Jesus’ parable in our verses for today places a dark cloud over the “name it and claim it” prosperity doctrine rampantly preached from many of our modern day pulpits. Like the Pharisees of old, we often confuse prosperity with God’s blessing and poverty with His displeasure. Wrong assumption! Neither riches nor poverty are an indication of our standing with God. Paul tells us in Philippians:
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:11-13 (NIV)
Jesus portrays abject poverty in the life of Lazarus yet he was God’s child. Even his name is the Greek form of the Hebrew name meaning “God, the Helper.” Notice too, that the rich dude is nameless. Living in luxury, donned in rare purple and fine linen undergarments, concerning himself with only what he was going to eat, he is certainly portrayed as not having a care in this world. I am reminded of the Psalmist Asaph’s words in Psalm 73:
1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4 They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. 5 They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills. 6 Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. Psalms 73:1-6 (NIV)
Isn’t it easy to envy those who seemingly have it all? Yet time is ticking away for each one of us and if Jesus should tarry and not return first, we will all die and be face to face with our Maker.
“Death is the common lot of rich and poor, godly and ungodly; there they meet together. It concerns both rich and poor to prepare for death, for it awaits them both.” Matthew Henry
What God has bestowed into our hands and into our lives we are to use for His glory and honor. These things do not belong to us they are His and we will be held accountable for them. Interestingly, Lazarus was laid at the gate of this wealthy man. We can suppose that those who brought him there assumed the rich man would show kindness and mercy to the destitute. They certainly had that pegged wrong. Lazarus was portrayed as craving the crumbs off the rich man’s table. He had not even set his sights upon the decadent fare and delicacies that the rich man had sumptuously arrayed. Longing for the leftover droppings, Lazarus was not given a morsel.
Enter death on the scene – the great equalizer! Lazarus is immediately taken to Abraham’s side by the ministering angels immediately receiving the comfort that his earthly life lacked. The rich man finds himself in great agony and torment in hell. Incredulously, he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to help him. Now the shoe is seemingly on the other foot and he does not like the way it fits. Unlike Lazarus, agony and torment caused our rich man to become a vocal beggar – all to no avail. I am reminded again of Asaph’s words in Psalm 73:
16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. Psalms 73:16-20 (NIV)
When God finally sets things straight, the wicked will be like a dream – a counterfeit of reality. God will set every wrong right. Paul tells us it is His to avenge:
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19 (NIV)
Concluding as the writer of Hebrews states:
30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people." 31 It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb 10:30-31 (NIV)