The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
The Parable
A wealthy man lived in luxury daily while a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered in sores, longing for scraps from the rich man's table. Both died — Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham's side, while the rich man found himself in torment. From his agony, the rich man begged Abraham to send Lazarus with water, but Abraham explained that a great chasm separated them permanently. The rich man then asked that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers, but Abraham replied that they have Moses and the prophets — if they will not listen to those, they would not be convinced even if someone rose from the dead.
Historical Context
Jesus told this story to the Pharisees, who loved money and were sneering at his teaching that one cannot serve both God and money. Unlike most parables, this one uses a proper name (Lazarus), leading some scholars to debate whether it was a parable or a factual account. Either way, its message about the eternal consequences of ignoring the suffering around us is clear and urgent.
Key Lessons
- How we treat the poor and vulnerable in this life has eternal significance
- Wealth carries responsibility — ignoring suffering at your doorstep is condemned
- After death, the opportunity for repentance and change is past
- Scripture provides sufficient warning for those willing to listen
Modern Application
In a world of extreme inequality, this parable confronts comfortable indifference. The rich man's sin was not necessarily that he was wealthy, but that Lazarus suffered daily at his very gate and he did nothing. Modern equivalents abound: homelessness visible from luxury apartments, global poverty accessible through a news feed. The parable asks whether we will see and respond to the Lazarus at our gate.
Discussion Questions
- Who is the 'Lazarus' at your gate — the suffering you pass by regularly?
- Why do you think Abraham said even a resurrection would not convince the rich man's brothers?
- How should this parable shape our relationship with money and possessions?