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“There once was a very rich man who had the finest things imaginable, living every day enjoying his life of opulent luxury. Just outside the gate of his mansion was a poor beggar named Lazarus. He lay there every day, covered with boils, and all the neighbourhood dogs would come and lick his open sores. The only food he had to eat was the garbage that the rich man threw away.

“One day poor Lazarus died, and the angels of God came and escorted his spirit into paradise. The day came that the rich man also died. In hell, he looked up from his torment and saw Abraham in the distance, and Lazarus the beggar was standing beside him in the glory. So the rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham! Father Abraham! Have mercy on me. Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and come to cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames of fire!’

“But Abraham responded, ‘My friend, don’t you remember? While you were alive, you had all you desired, surrounded in luxury, while Lazarus had nothing. Now Lazarus is in the comforts of paradise and you are in agony.’” — Luke 16:19–25, TPT

Riches Are Not the Problem

Being rich or financially sound is not wrong. In fact, the Word of God says, “God delights in the prosperity of His servant.”
— Psalm 35:27

The problem is not wealth. The problem is when people live completely independent of God and indifferent to the needs of others.

In today’s reading, the rich man was not judged because he was rich, as some wrongly think and teach. He was judged because he had the ability to help Lazarus, yet he ignored him daily. Lazarus was not far away from him. He was right outside his gate. The need was visible, but his heart was closed.

The Danger of Indifference

The rich man had luxury inside his house, but Lazarus had wounds outside his gate. He had food in abundance, but Lazarus longed for the crumbs that fell from his table.

This shows us that one of the greatest dangers of wealth is not possession, but indifference. It is possible to have much in your hand and still have very little compassion in your heart.

God is not against prosperity, but He is against a heart that becomes blind to the pain of others. Whenever God blesses us, He expects us to become a channel of blessing.

Where Is Your Heart?

There was once a man who loved temporal things. He sought all he could own and possess. One day, the man died, and an autopsy was done on his body. Strangely, the autopsy revealed that there was no heart in his body.

His friends, knowing his character, ran to his storehouse of treasures. There, among all his possessions, they found his bleeding heart.

The moral is simple: where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

This fictitious story reminds us of the danger of living only for worldly treasure. Earthly possessions are best understood through this phrase: “You cannot take it with you.”

Wealth Without God Is Dangerous

Wealth without God and His Word is dangerous in the light of eternity. Money can buy comfort, but it cannot buy salvation. Money can open doors on earth, but it cannot open the gates of heaven. Money can give temporary pleasure, but it cannot give eternal peace.

The rich man had everything for time, but he was unprepared for eternity.

Let us not live only for what we can gather, store, and enjoy in this world. Let us live with eternity in view. Let us use what God has placed in our hands to honour Him and bless people.

A blessed life is not measured only by what we possess, but by how faithfully we use what God has entrusted to us.

Bible Reading: Psalm 134-142

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