This is the question I asked recently at the Saturday morning men’s class at the Barren County Detention Center after reading the following text from Luke 16:19-31:
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 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. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ “Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”
This text teaches us much about what we value during our time on earth. We see the contrast of one who is laser focused on material prosperity compared to the one who deals with suffering daily. We also see that no matter how great or how bad life is on earth, an end is imminent for all. Verse twenty-two reminds us the one who suffered was “carried by the angels to Abraham.” He was carried to a place of comfort and rest. Additionally, the one who lived better than anyone, but had idols between him and God, also soon realized we all have a limited number of sunsets. We see that once our time is over, we cannot “go back” and “do better.” This text teaches that our choices have consequences.
Once the Rich Man realized which side of the gulf he was on, he reflected not only on his missed opportunities to be faithful to God, but he now has concern for his family that is left behind. We see in this passage the power of Scripture is confirmed (v. 29)! And, it is clear that our decisions determine our destination.
Let us do all we can to serve God, lead our families, and be focused on growing our faith so we will receive comfort in eternity like Lazarus (v. 25).
Which side of the gulf will you be on?
