The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
Introduction
Luke’s gospel is known for having a lot to say about riches and poverty. We might assume that Jesus mostly talked to poor people, but we know he spoke to the Pharisees, many of whom would have been wealthy. (16:14) He also was known to hang around with tax collectors - also wealthy people. In the first part of Luke 16 he tells the story of the shrewd manager - a story about money. In Luke 19 we have the story of Zacchaeus who was short in stature, but large in wealth.
In today’s text we have a story about a wealthy man and an impoverished man whose stories intersect at the gate of the wealthy man. This is a haunting story and one that features people with opposite experiences in life and death.
Luke 16:19-31
“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.’ ”
As I see it, there are three main messages in this parable.
1. A MESSAGE ABOUT WEALTH
The Rich Man was living the best life! Dressed in the best his time had to offer. When he ate, he enjoyed a feast every day. He had swagger and money. He knew all the right people. He had places to be. Important influencer. Isn’t This the kind of person we admire most? We are all very blessed with earthly possessions and wealth. Do we fall into the mistakes of the rich man?
What were the Rich Man’s mistakes? (Lightfoot)
He was indifferent. How long was the beggar at his gate? He was calloused to human distress, even with a man he passed every day who needed his help. Barclay: It’s a terrible warning to remember that the sin of [the Rich Man] was, not that he did wrong things, but that he did nothing.”
He was selfish. “Lying behind his cold unconcern was a self-centered life occupied with pleasures. His physical enjoyments were his chief pride. Absorbed in them, he became mercilessly oblivious to the needs of others.” (Lightfoot) Even in torment, his first thoughts are for himself - and believing he could send Lazarus on an errand for him. He still thinks Lazarus is beneath him!
He minimized the place of God’s Word in his life. God told him that his brothers could listen to Moses and the prophets and believe. This was something he did not do himself. Wealth is not wrong, but the wrong attitude toward wealth can rob us of eternal life.
1 John 3:17 "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"
James 2:15-16 "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
Often when we have the wrong attitude toward wealth, we have the wrong attitude toward the poor….
2. A MESSAGE ABOUT THE POOR
Lazaras was a beggar at the gate of the rich man. When giving a parable, Jesus never named a character - an honor reserved for Lazarus! (Perhaps a hint at God’s particular care for the poor and oppressed. -Anyabwile) He went unnoticed in his days on earth, but God noticed him. (Lazarus = God is my Helper.) He was the opposite of the Rich man. Dressed in rags instead of luxury. Hungry for crumbs instead of feasting daily. Laying at the gate instead of in a big house. Actually had to be “cast” or “laid” at the gate - unable to navigate on his own. Covered in sores instead of in good health. Licked by dogs instead of having servants to attend to him. Lazarus went unnoticed by the Rich Man.
I wonder if any of us are thinking … who is the Lazarus that I pass every day? Who is alone? Who is sick? Who is home bound? Who is struggling with crushing weight of life's troubles? Who is hurting because of choices in life? Who are we failing to notice? How can I minister to Lazarus? What organizations can we help with? What can we do to be of help to someone? How can we show the love of Christ using what God has given us?
Lazarus had a lifetime of suffering. He never even says one word in this story. His was a long way home, but he did ultimately find his eternal home. Which leads to our third attitude…
3. A MESSAGE ABOUT ETERNITY
Both Rich Man and Lazarus died. We might not be surprised that Lazarus died. Maybe it was infection? Hunger? sickness? But the Rich Man did not live a long and happy life. He died when he was not expecting to.
Hebrews 9:27 “…People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”
Neil Lightfoot noted four things that death cannot destroy:
Consciousness - both men were dead, but vividly alive. MT. 22:32 “He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”
Identity - they were conscious of being themselves. The rich man knows Lazarus and he knows he is of a family of six brothers. The individual self lives on.
Memory - Abraham said, “Son, remember…” He remembered his selfish life, Lazarus, his brothers.
Destiny - there are only two alternatives for our life following death. The rich man was in bitter pain while Lazarus was in a place of joy and comfort.
None know how many days we have left on this earth. This story causes us to think about our eternity. Jesus tells us that to trust and obey Him is to correct our course for the life after death. These images are both disturbing and comforting. What a dark irony to see the Rich Man begging the beggar.
Conclusion
The rich man says his brothers are not going to listen to Moses and the prophets. Are we? (Gallagher)
Our journey to eternity relates to our willingness to hear and follow the Scriptures we have before us. The rich man says his brothers are not going to listen to Moses and the prophets. Are we? (Gallagher) Christ has suffered death and rose on the third day for our sins.
The Scriptures testify to him and to his teachings. This parable leaves us with the question: Are you ready for our journey to eternity? Put your faith in Christ. Begin your new life in Him by being baptized. Wash Away Your sins. Brings a new birth. Places you in His church.
In the end Lazarus had a long journey home but received the comfort he never had in this life and the Rich Man was concerned that no one from his family end up like he did. Where is Lazarus in your life?
This striking story of being lost and found encourages us to hear the message of Jesus about wealth and self, the poor, and eternity.
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Discussion Questions
1. How does Jesus describe the rich man and Lazarus? What are the key differences between them?
2. If Jesus were telling this parable today, what modern examples might He use?
3. Why do you think Jesus chose to name Lazarus but not the rich man?
4. How does the concept of justice and reversal of fortunes play out in this parable?
5. How should this parable shape our view of wealth, generosity, and compassion for the needy? How should this parable affect the way we view money, generosity, and helping the poor?
6. How does this parable encourage us to take God’s Word seriously in our daily lives?
7. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are not ignoring the needs of others like the rich man did?
8. What else did you want to talk about today?
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Resources
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Luke. Holman, 2018.
Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible Series: The Gospel of Luke, 1953.
Gallagher, Ed. The Gospel of Luke: Explorations in Christian Scripture. Heritage Christian University Press, 2022.
Hughes, R. Kent. Luke: That You May Know the Truth. Crossway, 2015.
Lightfood, Neil. R. Lessons from the Parables, 1965.
