Five Lessons From the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19–31
Jesus tells a powerful account in Luke 16:19–31 about two men whose lives and eternities were very different. One man was rich, “clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day.” The other was Lazarus, a poor beggar who lay at his gate, full of sores, longing for crumbs from the rich man’s table. In life, it appeared the rich man had everything and Lazarus had nothing. But death revealed the truth. Jesus said, “So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried” (Luke 16:22). One entered comfort; the other entered torment.
This account teaches us several important lessons.
- Death Comes to Everyone
The rich man’s wealth could not keep death away, and Lazarus’ poverty did not make him forgotten by God. Earthly circumstances do not determine our eternal destiny. The question is not, “What did we possess?” but “Were we prepared to meet God?”
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
- Our Choices in This Life Determine Our Eternity
The rich man did not go to torment because he was wealthy. Abraham himself had been a man of great possessions (Genesis 13:2). The problem was his heart. He lived for himself while ignoring God and the suffering right outside his door.
After death, the rich man wanted relief, but Abraham said, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed” (Luke 16:26). Eternity cannot be changed after this life is over.
- We Must Listen to God’s Word Now
The rich man suddenly became concerned about his five brothers. He wanted Lazarus sent back to warn them. But Abraham answered, “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:29).
God has already given mankind what we need — His Word. Many people desire signs, miracles, or some extraordinary experience, but Jesus teaches that the Scriptures are sufficient to lead honest hearts to repentance.
- Compassion Reveals the Condition of Our Hearts
Every day the rich man walked past a person in need. His sin was not that he harmed Lazarus, but that he ignored him. Sometimes the greatest failures are not the evil things we do, but the good things we refuse to do.
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).
- Heaven Is Worth Any Sacrifice
Lazarus suffered for a short time but was comforted forever. The rich man enjoyed temporary pleasures but faced eternal regret.
Jesus reminds us that this world is not our home. The treasures we gather here will fade, but the choices we make for God will last forever.
The rich man wanted one more opportunity, one more warning, one more chance — but it was too late.
Today, we still have what he wanted: time, opportunity, and the Word of God.
The question is not whether we will enter eternity. We will.
The question is: Are we preparing for it today?