The story of the rich man and Lazarus is found in Luke 16:19-31. Here is a brief summary:
There was a rich man who was dressed in fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate lay a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
Eventually, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out for Abraham to have mercy on him and to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue, because he was in agony in the fire.
But Abraham replied that in life the rich man had good things while Lazarus had bad things, but now Lazarus is comforted while he is in agony. And besides, there is a great chasm fixed between them, so that no one can cross over from either direction.
The rich man then begged for Lazarus to be sent to his father’s house to warn his five brothers, so they won’t also come to this place of torment. But Abraham told him that his brothers have Moses and the Prophets to listen to. The rich man argued that if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. However, Abraham replied that if they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.
This sobering story provides several important lessons for us:
1. There are eternal consequences for how we live our lives on earth.
The rich man and Lazarus experienced dramatic reversals in the afterlife based on their behavior in life. The rich man who had lived in extreme luxury was now in a place of torment, while Lazarus who had lived in extreme poverty was now comforted. Their eternal destinations hinged on the decisions they made in their earthly lives.
This shows that our choices on earth have eternal ramifications. How we live matters greatly. There are no second chances after death. We should live this life in light of eternity. The book of Hebrews says, “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
2. Wealth does not mean someone is right with God.
The rich man in the story was dressed in fine purple linen and lived luxuriously. Yet he ended up in Hades, while the beggar Lazarus who lived in poverty was granted a place in paradise with Abraham. Outward prosperity is not an indicator of favor with God. You can have everything in this world and still miss out on eternal life.
In fact, wealth can often become an idol that distracts people from trusting fully in God. The Apostle Paul warns, “Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction” (1 Timothy 6:9). So we should not assume wealth equals godliness.
3. We have a responsibility to care for the poor and needy.
The rich man in the story failed to show compassion and meet the needs of Lazarus who was right outside his gate. He passed by this hurting man every day yet ignored him. God expects us to see the needs around us and respond with love. As 1 John 3:17 says, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
The story illustrates that God identifies with the poor. Ignoring their needs provokes the displeasure of God. Believers should seek justice, love mercy, and care for the needy (Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8). The way we treat others demonstrates the sincerity of our faith.
4. Pride and unbelief keep people from repentance and faith.
The rich man’s plea to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers demonstrated his belief that miracles and supernatural signs should produce repentance. But Abraham replies, “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”
The Word of God contains everything necessary for salvation. Those who reject God’s Word will not be convinced by supernatural signs or wonders. It is not a lack of information that keeps people from God, but rather pride and unbelief.
We see this in the ministry of Jesus. He performed incredible miracles yet was rejected by the religious leaders of the day because they refused to humble themselves and believe the Scriptures. Miracles alone don’t produce saving faith.
5. There is a chasm between heaven and hell that cannot be crossed.
The rich man longed for just a drop of water to cool his tongue while in agony in the flames. But Abraham told him this was impossible because of the “great chasm” that was fixed between them. No one could cross from heaven to hell or vice versa. The decisions we make about eternity in this life are final.
Hell is just as real as heaven and it is tragic. But once someone is there, the passage to paradise is closed. That is why it is vitally important we make every effort to choose life and pursue a relationship with God now while we can. The time to repent and believe is today (2 Corinthians 6:2). Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
6. Knowing Jesus is the only path to eternal life.
While Jesus isn’t directly mentioned in this passage, Abraham’s response implies knowing God’s Word is the key to avoiding a place of torment. God has revealed Himself and His plan of salvation through His written Word and ultimately through Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The Scriptures testify about Him (John 5:39). To reject Christ is to reject eternal life. There is no salvation apart from Him.
The rich man saw the truth too late. But there is still time for us to repent and believe while we live on this earth. We must come to Jesus in faith and obedience to escape the judgment to come (Hebrews 2:3).
7. Death and eternity should motivate us to live purposefully.
This sobering story reminds us that this life is shockingly brief compared to eternity. James says our life is like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). But eternity is forever.
Knowing our time is short should motivate us to live with urgency on the things that matter most. As Jesus said, “I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). We have a small window of opportunity to live for Christ and fulfill His purposes.
The reality of death and eternity also puts the concerns of this world into perspective. As C.S. Lewis said: “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next. Aim at heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in.’ Aim at earth and you will get neither.”
8. Christ’s resurrection gives us hope of eternal life.
Though not mentioned directly, the story alludes to the resurrection of Christ in the rich man’s plea to send Lazarus back from the dead to warn his brothers. Abraham says even this would not be enough to persuade them if God’s Word alone did not.
Yet Christ did rise from the dead, proving He has power over sin and death. As 1 Peter 1:3 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
Because of the resurrection, we can have hope of eternal life with Christ. The passageway to paradise is now open to all who put their trust in Him. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
9. We should evaluate if our hearts are hardened to God’s Word.
The rich man’s brothers had Moses and the Prophets but still did not truly hear God’s message of repentance. Similarly, the Pharisees knew the Scriptures inside and out yet missed the day of their visitation when Christ walked among them (Luke 19:44). Let us examine our own hearts for pride, unbelief, or love of sin that would harden us to God’s Word.
We are also called to proclaim God’s Word faithfully even when it seems foolish to the world, trusting that it remains the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). The scriptures make us wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:15).
10. Jesus is our ultimate hope, not wealth, miracles or people.
The story shows the limitations of wealth, supernatural signs, and relying on people to bring salvation. Even one rising from the dead is not enough. We can only find eternal hope in Christ.
Jesus is the true bread from Heaven (John 6:35). He is the living water that satisfies forever (John 4:14). He is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25). Salvation is found in no one else (Acts 4:12). Having Jesus means possessing eternal life that can never perish, spoil or fade (John 10:28).
The riches of this world provide temporary pleasures at best. Even miracles and amazing experiences fade in their impact. But Jesus remains forever and His words will never pass away (Mark 13:31). He alone is worthy of our complete trust.
In summary, the story of Lazarus and the rich man reminds us to number our days, care for those in need around us, value obedience to God’s Word, trust fully in Christ for salvation, and live this life in light of eternity. Though harsh, it underscores the tragic reality of hell and motivates us to reach the lost while we can. Most of all, it points us to Jesus as the only Redeemer and Hope worth embracing.