This parable compares the eternal destiny of two men. The first is a rich man living in luxury while the second is a man named Lazarus, who is destitute and begs at the city gates. The rich man never helped Lazarus in life although he had the means to. When they both die, the rich man goes to hell but looks up and sees Lazarus in heaven alongside Abraham. The parable highlights the stark contrast between the earthly lives and the eternal destinies of the rich man and Lazarus. It emphasizes that how people live and treat others in this life has consequences in the afterlife. Lazarus, who suffered in poverty and illness but maintained faith, found comfort in the presence of God. In contrast, the rich man, who lived luxuriously but ignored the suffering at his gate, faced torment in Hades. Here, Christ is teaching that one mustn’t hoard wealth while others are suffering. God wishes that we would give earnestly of our resources to aid those who are in need. This is the way of Christ and the path that will lead to salvation. If one doesn’t follow these guidelines, they run the risk of finding the same fate as the rich man.
Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus Meaning
The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus meaning can be found in Luke 16:19-31:
Luke 16:19-31
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
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