There was a certain rich man
Of whom Jesus had much to say.
He wore clothes of purple and fine linen
And lived in luxury every day.

There was a certain beggar named Lazarus
Which was laid at his gate full of sores.
He desired to be fed with crumbs from his table
And the dogs came and licked his sores.

After an unspecified passage of time
The poor beggar passed from this life.
He was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom
He was freed from his life of pain and strife.

The rich man also died and was buried
And in Hades he opened his eyes.
He was in this place of horrible torment,
A place filled with sorrow and sighs.

He could also look afar and see Abraham
And Lazarus in this place of rest,
He cried out to Father Abraham, and
He made an earnest request.

Please, Father Abraham, send Lazarus over
For it is he I would like to see,
He may cool my tongue with one drop of water
For these flames are tormenting me!

But Abraham said, Son remember———-

You in your lifetime received good things
And poor Lazarus was not so blessed.
As you know, he received evil things
But now he has entered his rest.

And now, you are being tormented
Another fact remains, I must say—
Between them and us there is a great gulf fixed
And no traffic flows either way.

Then I pray father, send him to my father’s house
Send him back into time and space,
To testify to my five brothers
Lest they come to this tormenting place.

Abraham replies, they have Moses and the prophets
It is their message they must hear!
But he cried, Nay, father Abraham!
They will repent if one came from here!

Abraham answered with absolute certainty;
And we know it is truth that he said–
If they will not hear Moses and the prophets
They will not hear though one come from the dead!

Dear reader, you can see from this story,
The rich man neglected his soul.
It seems he trusted in riches
And in life he chose the wrong goal.

This story was recorded in scripture
So each person can read and take heed.
We must render obedience to Jesus
For He is the Saviour we need.

Obey from the heart, the Gospel.
There is a form to obey.
We must repent and turn from sin
Confess Him as God’s Son today!

Then be buried with Him in baptism.
Arise from that watery grave,
Live a new life in Christ Jesus,
Share the good news with others each day.

He has promised he’ll never forsake you
He will be your Saviour and friend,
And then when this life is over
You will live eternally with Him!

D. Arbaugh

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