We read about these two men in the gospel of Luke, chapter 16. The text outlines the full span of human existence. It spoke of their experiences in life, the deaths that they encountered and what happened to them after their death. These two men and their happenings were completely opposite in their beliefs and their living habits.
Let’s look at the life of the rich man as he was portrayed. He brings forth some interesting comparisons to modern living. When I first preached on this text in 1972, I quoted some interesting statistics which even though out of date are still profound. The sum of private debt at that time was two trillion dollars. Ironically, we can point to Americans who chewed two hundred and seventy-five million dollars of gum that totaled 550,000,000 pounds. Now back to the rich man. We must first stop to say that there is nothing wrong with an individual being wealthy. The issue is how does that wealth originate, and how is it used. Tragically, this man demonstrates the apathy many people have toward those in need. Several surveys have been taken that reveal the wealthy are less likely to give to charities and religious organizations on a percentage basis when compared to the workaday citizen.
Now let’s look at the life of the beggar who was in a desperate situation. He was poor, sick, hungry, dying, ignored, friendless, and helpless. Not much can be said about this man that the world would congratulate. He had no standing in society. We are even unsure if he had a family. The basis of his life was simply to continue his existence. It is most outstanding, however, to note that in spite of all of his misery he was still a righteous person. He did not blame God for his desperate situation. He did not even blame other people. He was devout. This beggar was accomplished in the only effort that he could make and that was to beg from others to have help that quite often was not given. No one came to him for advice. No one offered any complements to him. No one could identify any accomplishments that this man made. His intention was twofold. He lived to have enough to exist another day. He serve God in the best way he could.
Let’s look at the death of the beggar. I don’t believe it was a mistake that the attention given to these two men at their death was reversed. There is no mention of his physical body that was full of sores. Most important that was said about him happened to be that angels escorted him to the place of paradise where he would be comforted and greatly blessed. The beggar’s situation is reminiscent of a song that says, “it will be worth it all.”
The death of the rich man is most tragic. The Bible says that he simply died and was buried. No mention of any divine intervention or rewards are said. While in hell the rich man was reminded how he ignored the needs of the beggar. No doubt, this was a symptom of his spiritual condition. He was arrogant even in hell by asking that the beggar be sent to his brothers so they would be warned. If you want to know what hell will be like if you do not know Christ as your Savior, we have an outline in this text. The rich man was fully conscious, had a memory, was frustrated because he had no needs met. And was alone there in torment. He called out to Abraham referring to him as “father.” However, no creed or spiritual condition of parents, attendance in worship, or membership of organizations mattered at all. We must underscore that this man would live forever in a desperate situation.
If we could hear the voice of this rich man today, he would say, “do not come here!” He would tell us to do everything possible to avoid having an end like he has. His method of living was useless when it came to eternity. At the point of death, the unrighteous are immediately transported to hell. Judgment is final and eternal.
When Abraham replied to the rich man, he took note that there was a great gulf fixed that no one could cross not for the sake of time or mercy between the righteous and the unrighteous. The rich man had no one to blame for the situation but himself. Some people say this was given as a parable from Jesus. However, the way the text is structured, the way the words are delivered is quite different from a parable that Jesus otherwise offered. It is my contention that Jesus was telling his hearers of the factual experience that these two men had. If we are wise, we will heed the warning of the rich man and follow the example of th
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