I will be concluding Luke 16 this Sunday at CrossPoint. The central lesson for both parables in the chapter concerns the abuse of riches. Additionally, in the second parable (v. 24-31), Jesus warns of a literal life after death:
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. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers —so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
Luke 16:22-31
Hell is no laughing matter. Hell is real, and the discussion of hell is serious business.
There are many well-worn statements make about hell.
Some exert, “I can’t serve a God who sends people to Hell.”
That sentimental statement sounds well-intended, but it shows the person is clueless about the sovereign holiness of God and the wretched sinfulness of man. The God of the Bible is holy and He cannot accept anything but perfection into heaven. Because man is sinful and wretchedly depraved, He is found unacceptable in God’s kingdom.
Others inquire, “How can a loving God send someone to Hell?”
Again, that is the statement of a clueless or naïve individual. The Bible teaches that God in His unmerited love provides man with the great escape by sending His Son to redeem those who will repent and believe. Thus, God does not send anyone to hell. Man sends himself to hell by refusing to receive God’s gift of salvation.
Another says: “I do not believe in hell.”
It does not matter what man thinks or says about hell. Man’s statements or beliefs about hell do not reject or accept its reality. The truth is Jesus spoke about hell, taught about hell and, thus, revealed the reality of hell. Hell is a very real place. It is a real place, with real people doing real things, in the same way that Heaven is real place. If hell is not real, then Jesus is a pathological liar.
As someone astutely said, “To say eternal torment is an overreaction is to say God’s glory isn’t that big a deal.”
An individual who does not believe in the existence of a literal hell does not understand the comprehensive nature of God’s glory.
Now that will preach!
I agree. Hell only makes sense in so far as anyone understands that sin is an affront to the One True and Holy God. Those who reject God’s ultimate gift of love in His Only Son Jesus DESERVE eternal punishment in hell for they have trampled and spit upon the precious blood of Jesus Christ. In fact… sinner punished in hell will be a reason to praise and glorify God in eternity because it proves He is just AND loving at the same time. Good post.
I’m not sure that the central lesson is misuse of riches. I can see that would be the context, but not necessarily the central lesson. Maybe I just need further explanation about what “misuse of riches” is. I’m guessing that by “misuse” you mean either, A) Trusting in riches, B) Worldly matters being a person’s sole identity, C) Abject selfishness which contradicts Luke 9:23. Am I missing something?
Junior, we deserve Hell even when we do accept God’s gift of salvation or reject it. Thanks be to God for he is not only just, but merciful and full of grace.
USM7 perhaps I should have explained with greater detail. the context of Luke 16 is “abuse of riches”. Check out 16:1; 16:13; 16:14- 15;16:19. Then you will understand the context. Jesus is teaching about the abuse of riches. Then I encourage you to listen to my message this weekend. Sorry for the incomplete info.
USM07 also your 3 applications – a,b,c are dead on.
one more thought about riches and hell – isn’t it interesting that Jesus would draw a collary relationship between the two?