The Bible does not say that only poor people go to heaven. And it does not say the opposite-rich people go to hell. Luke writes clearly. When they died, the poor man went to heaven, the rich one to hell.

 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16:19-31

Why did Jesus teach this parable?

Think back to the first parable of this chapter regarding the dishonest manager. Both parables are about the ways you and I can abuse money. The rich man knew Lazarus and yet he did nothing to ease the poor man’s suffering life.

You and I do not need to be rich to comfort others in need.

The end of this parable has two stop everything and pay attention lessons in it.

First, at death, we will have an awareness of our eternal status and enter at once into either suffering or blessing when we die.

The second lesson is more sobering.

The rich man had serious regrets. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to tell his 5 brothers to repent. He wanted them to be told the suffering of hell is real. But the answer was “no.”

Catch the reason, “they have Moses and the prophets.” In other words-they already HAVE more than enough evidence to believe hell exists which should lead them to repent. Now it becomes even more real. The reason the 5 brothers would not change their hearts even with “Moses and the prophets” for evidence is the same reason you and I won’t believe Jesus and His words:

Our hearts are hard.

What causes hard hearts? Try these…pride, ego, self righteous, riches, selfishness…and an I’m OK attitude.

Keep reading, this is about eternity. There is just one more thing-application. Does this parable apply to you and me? Jesus spoke it so long ago…it’s old…wouldn’t there be an expiration on it?

No…

Look around outside. See the stars, the moon, sunrise and set. The parable about Lazarus was spoken by Jesus for us now-today. There is a real place called hell…and a real place-heaven. Jesus wants us in heaven. Step one is to repent…to turn from our sins…to check our hard heart…to say, “I’m sorry Jesus.” And mean it.

The rich man discovered that after death it’s too late to change your mind.

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