Does what we do with our money and our neighbours really matter after we die? In this Sunday message from January 22, 2023, Pastor Linda Reese walked through the story Jesus told about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, and what it says about heaven, hell and the life we are living right now.

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…

Luke 16:22–23 (KJV)

Two men, two very different endings

Jesus tells of a rich man who dressed in purple and fine linen and ate well every day, and a beggar named Lazarus who lay at his gate hoping for the scraps. Pastor Linda pointed out something easy to miss: the rich man is never given a name, but the beggar is. The rich man walked past that need every day and did not really see it.

When they died, angels carried Lazarus. The rich man was buried, and found himself in torment. You can read the whole account in Luke 16:19–31.

The money was not the problem

“Riches alone did not send the rich man to hell,” Pastor Linda said. His problem was what he thought life was for. To him it meant clothes, food, pleasure and status, and nothing more. There was no room in it for God, and no room in it for the man at his gate.

Everything we have is on loan. We work hard for our money, and it still belongs to God. “Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5). You can be poor and rich at the same time.

Harder than a camel through the eye of a needle

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Pastor Linda explained that the “eye of the needle” was a narrow passage a camel had to get down low and struggle through, not a sewing needle. In that culture wealth was read as a sign of God’s blessing, so the disciples were stunned and asked who then could be saved.

The answer is the hopeful part: “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Rich or poor, anyone who asks God for forgiveness receives it. What counts is faith in Christ rather than faith in yourself or your bank balance.

Salvation is more than fire insurance

Pastor Linda said it plainly: salvation has to be more than fire insurance. It is a relationship. “Make Him your closest friend,” she said, “because He is closer than a brother or a sister or mom or dad.” She described getting to a place where she does not worry much any more, because it is in God’s hands and He will take care of her.

At the end of the story the rich man begs that someone be sent to warn his five brothers. Abraham answers that they already have Moses and the prophets. “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead” (Luke 16:31). The warning we need is already in our hands.

Something to do this week

Notice one person you usually walk past. Then ask God to show you where you have been trusting what you own instead of trusting Him. If you want to talk any of this through, send us a prayer request or get in touch. Name and email are optional on the prayer form.

Related messages: Every Person Matters to God (Psalm 139) and Won’t It Be Wonderful There? Heaven’s Crowns. You can browse all of our messages, or plan a visit and join us on a Sunday at 10:00 AM.