I have written articles before about the rich man and Lazarus, found in Luke 16. A few days ago, I heard a sermon about this story that gave me a new perspective. It still gives me chills when I think about it.

The story hasn’t changed. It is still about a man who was rich in this world’s goods, who lived well, and was selfish. He gave no thought to those with whom he came in contact every day.

It is still about a poor man named Lazarus who had nothing of this world’s possessions and who laid at the gate of the rich man’s house. He had to endure the humiliation of his poverty and the constant visits from the local dogs that came to lick his sores. He also had to endure the rich man walking past him and ignoring his situation.

It is still about the rich man dying and going to a place of torment, and it is still about Lazarus dying and being carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom. Nothing has changed in the story.

What has changed is the way I look at the application for us. I’ve always known that this story is about the way we treat others. I’ve always known that it is about ignoring those in need. I’ve always known it was about reward and punishment.

There are three things that are now clearer to me. The first is that this story is about money and the love of it. It is truly about one man loving what he had more than anything or anyone in this world. It is about a man that made the conscious choice not to help a man he knew had nothing. As far as we know, the rich man never did anything for Lazarus.

Let’s look at the words Paul wrote to the young preacher, Timothy. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs….As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (First Timothy 6:10, 17-19 ESV).

I’m not advocating that we stop for every homeless person we see and give them money; nor am I suggesting we give away all of our money. What I am suggesting is that money can keep us out of heaven.

Remember the rich young ruler in Matthew 19? He had obeyed the Old Testament commandments, but Jesus told him he needed to do something else. “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21).

The second thing that was made clearer in this sermon is the reality of hell. I know from this description of the place of torment that it is a terrible place. What struck me so plainly is the duration of the punishment by fire.

Let’s say it takes 60 seconds for someone to burn to death. Picture in your mind a man burning and set a timer for 60 seconds. I think you’ll find, as I did, that 60 seconds is a long time.

Now picture in your mind a man, this rich man from Luke 16, being tormented in flames. Now think about Paul’s description of the return of Christ. “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might…” (Second Thessalonians 1:7-9).

I would suspect that you do not want to spend an eternity in flames. I certainly don’t. I want to do whatever I can to avoid such a sentence.

There is a third thing that is clearer to me than ever before. There is an urgency about sharing the gospel. I need to tell anyone who will listen that God has a plan for our salvation. The plan is simple. Learn what God wants you to do to be saved. Once you have obeyed it, live it every single day to the best of your ability. Treat everyone the way you would want to be treated, regardless of how they treat you. Love your enemies. Worship only God, not your worldly possessions.

Sandra Oliver