Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
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 Hades, 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.’
25 “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. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “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.’”
When we die, I do not think we will wish we had more money, acquired more cars and houses and had more material things, a larger wardrobe, taken more vacation time, and become most popular in fame and gained power over others...We will remember that in our lifetime as the rich man sees, if we have received many good things here on earth, that has little meaning in the Kingdom of God...
As we read about Jesus' teachings questions come up...Could have we and the king offered the poor more help?...Could we have offered more to our neighbors?...Could we have loved God more and our neighbors more?...Could we have loved our enemies better and shown them more kindness?...
I think we will realize like Lazarus that being comforted in heaven is all one has ever needed...The feelings Lazarus has will last an eternity, because of God and His Son...