So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then 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.” (Luke 16:22-24)

Lessons Learned Too Late

Life is unfair because of the disparity often found between one man who enjoys all the finest things of life and the other man who lives in the despair of a miserable existence that only the dogs will sympathize with. This is the story of a rich man clothed in purple and fine linen who enjoyed the best things life could offer. He had five brothers who lived in the same splendor as he, following the same path. The brothers had no time for God. Their wealth was their god. They believed all the happiness that could be found in life was the fame, fortune, and pleasures of the flesh. Everything their hearts desired, they embellished with grand passion. Life was very good to this family. There was no time to consider the needs of others.

Every day, a beggar was lying at the gate of the rich man. He was the scourge of the world as someone who could not care for himself. The beggar was a diseased man full of sores, making him a wretched sight to look upon. Few people took notice of the beggar. Fewer still knew his name. The beggar did not ask for much. He would have been satisfied with the crumbs that fell from the table of the rich man. The only creatures sympathetic to the beggar were dogs who would lick his wounds, giving him some measure of relief. As the rich man passed by, he was horrified at the sight of the beggar and never did anything to help him.

The rich man was an ungodly man. He was a Jew who had learned the law but had spurned obedience to God’s word. His life was measured by his possessions, his pride, and his pleasures. He never took time to serve the Lord God who delivered his people from Egypt. The only thing the rich man could think of was his purple garments, fine linen, and sumptuous lifestyle. In contrast to the rich man, the beggar was a righteous man. He spent long hours at the gate begging for food. His trust was in the Lord, and he served Him quietly to the best of his ability. There was no fanfare about his faith in God. Just a quiet, reserved, devoted love for God.

Both men shared a common goal. The rich man died and was buried. It must have been a large funeral procession with many days of mourning and grieving. Everyone in the community comforted the five brothers. The beggar died, but his story is very different. No one noticed his death for a while. When it was discovered that the diseased beggar was dead, his body was taken up and buried in a common grave: no fanfare, ceremonies, or much of a remembrance. People who passed by the rich man’s gate noted that the man full of sores never came back. They went about their business with little concern.

The rich man’s name is unknown. Jesus called the beggar, “Lazarus.” God knew the name of the diseased beggar at the gate. The rich man did not know his name, nor did he care to know it, but God did. When the rich man died, he was buried. But when Lazarus died, he was carried by angels to the bosom of Abraham. All the good things in life for the rich man were gone, and all the misery of life for Lazarus disappeared. In eternity, the rich man was in torment, and Lazarus was comforted in Paradise. The rich man realized too late that his life had been wasted. He was now in torment. The man he never took notice of was in eternal joy. He remembered his life and how ungodly it was. Abraham reminded him that nothing would change for him. His desire to teach his brothers was impossible. He learned that salvation belongs only to those who do the will of the Father. That lesson came too late.

Most people live for themselves. They care little for serving God. Their only desire is to enjoy the best things in life, and they probably will – until they die. It is then that lessons are learned too late; life is not about the here and now, but about the reality of eternity. The rich man remains in torment, and Lazarus is still in eternal joy. You will die. Do not be deceived into thinking that you will be granted some special treatment. If you do not do the will of the Father, you will suffer torment. Lazarus was a righteous man even in his state of suffering. Do not learn the lessons too late because there is no second chance. Now is the day of salvation. What are you learning?