19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.” ~ Luke 16:19-23
First of all, we notice that both the rich man and Lazarus were descendants of Father Abraham, but that was not a qualification. So, don’t be fooled; no one can get in on ancestral credentials alone. It doesn’t matter if gra’ma was a prayer warrior or if papa was a good Christian man. As they say, God doesn’t have any grandchildren. Each will answer for themselves.
With that said, the next thing we notice is that neither the rich man nor Lazarus expected to die the day they did. In fact, I bet dying was the last thing on the rich man’s mind. That’s how a lot of us are today. We live our lives as if we will live forever as if we are our own judge and jury. We get so caught up in our day-to-day lives and all that we have that we forget that one day we each will stand before God and give an account of our lives.
Today is the day of salvation; tomorrow is promised to no man. What have you done with the time given to you? We hate to think about death, but maybe that’s what we need. Maybe we need to think more about our eternal souls and less about our mortal life. If you were to die tonight and wake up in Eternity, where would you be? Would you be welcomed with peace and comfort? Or would you be welcomed with flames and torment?
Dear LORD, please help us to think eternal thoughts instead of carnal thoughts alone. May our minds be on You, oh LORD, instead of on ourselves and what we can gain. Help us to love You as we ought. Open our eyes so that we can see all that we need to change to be closer to You. Mold us into Your masterpiece. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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