The Rich Man Who Begged

By Mary Vee
Luke 16

Peter

Photo by Mary Vee, Castle in Austria

My name is Peter. I am a disciple of Jesus.

The Pharisees had challenged Jesus on a point about money. To answer their questions he told this story about a rich man.

"There was once a rich man who liked to dress in purple and fine linen. He lived in luxury every day, demanding only the best from his servants and expecting the finest foods, decorations, respect, and more in his palace.

"He refused to notice the beggars and poor outside the castle. He preferred they leave, go bother someone else. Go anywhere but in his sight.

"A beggar named Lazarus laid at the rich man's gate. Dogs came and licked the sores covering his body. He longed to eat scraps, anything that fell from the rich man's table. He begged for mercy. Anything to ease his misery.

"One day the beggar died. The angels came and carried him to Abraham's side and comforted him.

"Soon after, the rich man also died. His friends, family, and servants buried and mourned him. The rich man found himself in hell where he suffered great torment. He looked up and saw Abraham far away. By his side was Lazarus.

"The rich man called out to Father Abraham. 'Please, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'

"But Abraham turned to the once rich man and said, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. Now, Lazarus is comforted here with me and you are in agony. 

"Even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't. You can see there is a great chasm that has been permanently fixed. Look at it and see. It is impossible for anyone to go from here to help you. And--no one from your side can cross over to reach us.

"The man who was once rich said, 'Please, I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house. I have five brothers. Have him warn my brothers so they will not also end up in this place of torment.'

"Abraham shook his head. 'They have Moses and the Prophets. They have been warned already as you were.'

"The man who was once wealthy pleaded. 'No, father Abraham. I know my brothers. They would believe someone visiting them from the dead. They will repent, I'm sure of it.'

"Father Abraham answered, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. You would not have either.'

The power of Jesus' story left everyone silent.

Come back to read the next story.

*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.