The Parables of the Rich and the Poor

The Parable of the Rich Fool
(Luke 12: 13-21) Linked
 A man asked Jesus to advise him in dividing their family inheritance.
∗ In those days the right of the first born was a double portion of the inheritance.
∗ But Jesus was unconcerned about the implied injustice and refused the man’s request and never involved in the family disputes.
∗ Jesus’ role was the Judge of all the earth.
(John 5:22) Linked
∗ He did not come to the earth to settle the silly earthly disputes.
∗ Settling an inheritance dispute is the work of the civil authorities.
JESUS EXPRESSED
∗ Covetousness is a sin.
∗ A man is not evaluated by the abundance of his possession.
∗ Jesus made them to understand through a parable of a rich fool.foolish_rich_man
Once a rich man hoarded up his crops in a big newly built barn, for the old barn was small.
He was at ease and said to himself, “Let me eat, drink and be merry.
For God said, “Fool! This night your soul is required of you.”
THEN…..
 Who would be possessing his inheritance? The rich fool treasured up the earthly possession.
BUT….
 In the presence of God, he is poor.
THOSE WHO PILE UP THE RICHES ON THE EARTH ARE THE POOR AT THE SIGHT OF GOD.

The Rich Man And Lazarus
(Luke 16 : 19-31) Linked
∗ We have seen the plight of the rich fool already. Here we come across a parable of a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus.
∗ The life style of the rich man and the life style of the beggar were two extremes.
(Lazarus is only a character in the Parable of Jesus.)
∗ Rich indirectly meant the Pharisees for they were richly attired and fared sumptuously.
∗ The mention of the table scrapes, sores and dogs all made this poor man appeared odious in the eyes of the Pharisees.
∗ The Pharisees were inclined to see such people as a proof of divine disfavour and they considered them as if they were despised by God.
BOTH DIED; AFTER DEATH……..
∗ Their life was in contrast after death.
∗ The rich man was comfortable all through his life on the earth.
∗ But the poor Lazarus was exalted in Heaven.
∗ To the amazement, the poor man was in Heaven reclining next to Abraham.
WHEREAS. ……
∗ The rich man was tormented in Hades (Hell), looking at Lazarus and asking for a drop of water to quench his thirst.
∗ But the distance was too far between the two.
∗ The rich man didn’t like the family to undergo such agony in Hades.
∗ But all the requests of the rich man were put down by Abraham because the rich man’s family should believe the prophets on the earth rather than believing the one sent from Heaven.

LIFE TO BE LIVED ON THE EARTH …..
∗ When we live a life of comfort, lets not neglect the agony of the needy.
∗ Let’s not enjoy our possession with no concern for others.
∗ Let’s be humble, simple and God fearing despite of all our riches for we take no earthly possession  to the Heavenly abode.
∗ Even with our earthly abundance, let’s build our character in the likeness of God’s expectation.
∗ Let not the riches be misused for the pleasures of the world.

REFERENCE
“Abraham’s bosom” is a term Jewish rabbis used for the home of the righteous.
From hell (Hades) the rich man can see Lazarus in distance and can even communicate with Abraham, but a great chasm prevents any other interaction.

Let’s pray. …
Lord, let’s always be righteous at your sight and grant us a place in Your Kingdom as you have given to Lazarus in the Parable. Let’s be humbled in our lives on the earth and be exalted in Heaven. Amen
Glory be to God

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