RESPONDING TO THE SUFFERINGS OF THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE

Gold From the Word

(A man told this story about Lazarus and Dives at a graduation ceremony in Cameroon).

A rich man lived near a very poor man. While the rich man feasted every day the poor man was hungry and covered with sores. The rich man took good care of himself and neglected the poor man.

When they died Lazarus had no one to bury him so that flies and maggots feasted on his corpse. The rich man died and was taken good care of with the best perfumes used on his body.

When both came before God the rich man was smelling good while Lazarus was stinking with his sores and maggots. God told both of them that since they had lived good lives on earth they should kiss each other’s bodies. Lazarus had no problem since the rich man was clean and smelled good. He went on to obey. But the rich man found it hard to kiss the maggots and refused. God sent him to hell for disobedience and Lazarus to heaven for his obedience.

Moral: Be your brother’s Keeper for Hebrews 9:25 says, “It is appointed onto man once to die and after that the Judgment.”

THE REAL STORY (LUKE16:19-31).

Lu 16:19 ¶ There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:

Lu 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,

Lu 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

Lu 16:22 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;

Lu 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Lu 16:24 And 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.

Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Lu 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

Lu 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:

Lu 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

Lu 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Lu 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

Lu 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Remain Blessed----Joshua.