Treasurers in Heaven
Luke 16:19-31
Rabbi Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz
20 “And a poor man named Lazarus awas laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and
longing to be fed from the scraps which fell from the rich man’s table; not only that,
the dogs also were coming and licking his sores. 22 “Now it happened that the poor
man died and was carried away by the angels to 1aAbraham’s arms; and the rich man
also died and was buried. 23 “And in aHades he raised his eyes, being in torment,
and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his 1arms. 24 “And he cried out and said,
‘aFather Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, so that he may dip the tip
of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in bthis flame.’ 25
“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that aduring your life you received your good
things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and
you are in agony. 26 ‘And 1besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has
been set, so that those who want to go over from here to you will not be able, nor
will any people cross over from there to us.’ 27 “And he said, ‘Then I request of you,
father, that you send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—in
order that he may awarn them, so that they will not come to this place of torment as
well.’ 29 “But Abraham *said, ‘They have 1aMoses and the Prophets; let them hear
them.’ 30 “But he said, ‘No, afather Abraham, but if someone goes to them from
the dead, they will repent!’ 31 “But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses
and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
In Luke’s Gospel, chapter 16, verses 19 through 30, we encounter a striking and
challenging story commonly titled The Rich Man and Lazarus. Right away, the name
Lazarus can cause confusion. Many readers immediately think of Lazarus of Bethany—
the brother of Mary and Martha—whom Jesus raised from the dead. This, however, is
a completely different individual. Why Jesus chose to use the same name is unknown,
but the story is clearly presented as a parable told to His followers.
What makes this parable especially compelling is that it is rich with symbolism and
rooted deeply in the customs and beliefs of the ancient world. That should not surprise
us. All of Jesus’ parables draw on familiar images, cultural assumptions, and everyday
experiences to convey profound spiritual truths. Teaching through parables was, in fact,
a long-standing rabbinic tradition well before the time of Jesus. Yet Jesus, as we know,
mastered this form of teaching like no one else—and this parable is no exception.
One important belief we must understand to fully grasp this parable is the ancient view
of the body and the soul. In early Israelite thought—prior to strong Greek influence—
many people believed that after death the soul remained with the body and that there
was little or no conscious existence beyond the grave. Even today, some people still
believe that when a person dies, that is simply the end—that they disappear entirely.
This parable directly challenges that idea. Jesus describes a man named Lazarus who lay
at the gate of a wealthy man, suffering, hungry, and desperate. The rich man saw him
every day and chose to do nothing. When both men died, the scene dramatically shifts:
the rich man finds himself in Hades, while Lazarus is comforted in the presence of
Father Abraham.
The rich man, now in torment, desperately wants relief. He cries out for help, but none
is given. He is told that a great chasm separates him from Lazarus—a division that
cannot be crossed. This is not presented as arbitrary punishment; rather, it is the
consequence of a life lived without compassion. The rich man ignored Lazarus at his
gate, and now he finds himself cut off, with no way back.
Another vital lesson from this parable concerns obedience to God’s commandments.
In Scripture, we encounter not only rules and laws, but also mitzvot—commandments
intended to bring blessing, both in this life and in the life to come. Charity is one of the
most important of these. The rich man failed in this responsibility. He did not offer
Lazarus even the smallest act of mercy. In doing so, he violated one of the core
commandments of faithful living.
The consequence, as Jesus describes it, is separation from God. Hades is portrayed not
merely as a place of suffering, but as a place of isolation—cut off from God’s presence.
The rich man had everything he wanted in life, but in the end he had nothing. The great
chasm symbolizes this final and irreversible separation.
Jesus is clearly issuing a warning. Wealth, comfort, and ease in this life do not guarantee
blessing in the next. You cannot take your possessions with you, but you can use them
now to store up treasures in heaven. When judgment comes, it is far better to be found
in the presence of God than separated from Him.
This parable is not difficult to understand, but it is deeply important. Luke includes it
because it reveals how seriously God takes the commandment to care for others—
especially the poor and vulnerable. Without this story, we might underestimate just how
central charity is to faithful living.
So how do we practice charity today? There are many ways. The most obvious is
financial giving. Since the mid-20th century, professional charities have become
common organizations that collect money and distribute aid. Some do excellent work;
others struggle with bureaucracy, inefficiency, or misplaced priorities. This does not
mean we should stop giving, but it does mean we should give wisely.
Before supporting an organization, it is worth asking how the money is used. How
much goes to administration? How much actually reaches those in need? Are we
supporting genuine ministry, or simply sustaining an organization? These are not
unfaithful questions—they are responsible ones.
But charity is not limited to money. Your time, your skills, and your talents are also gifts
from God. Serving in your church, synagogue, or local community; mentoring,
teaching, visiting, repairing, cooking—these acts matter. Charity is lived, not just
donated.
The heart of this parable is simple and sobering: do not live like the rich man, who
enjoyed comfort now but faced eternal loss later. Jesus tells us to store up treasures in
heaven. Every act of generosity—whether through money, time, or service—is an
investment in eternity.
Let us learn from Lazarus. Let us live generously, compassionately, and faithfully. And
let us follow the guidance God gives us, so that when our time comes, we may be found
in the presence of Christ, rather than separated from Him.
