Danger of Being Ruled by Riches

Luke 16:16-31 NIV

19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, 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.' 25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 27 "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 29 "Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 30 " 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 31 "He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' "

Keyword:

Purple: The color was obtained from Mediterranean mollusks.[1] The mollusk is an invertebrate. It looks like a snail with a shell on its back. The glands of the insect were boiled in lead vats to make the dye.

The parable about the rich man is a continuance of the shrewd manager. As Jesus ends the parable with his disciples, the Pharisees are nearby taking offense to the teaching. Jesus describes the rich man’s attire as purple linen to express his wealth to the hearers. In this parable, Jesus is teaching individuals to believe what is written in Scripture. Isaiah and other Old Testament Prophets talked about the coming of Jesus. When Jesus came, his role was misinterpreted and he was labeled a troublemaker.

As for us, it is essential to remain in the Bible. The Bible holds the truth, light, and life. Money is a tool to be used to increase the kingdom of God. Everything belongs to God. The manner that it is used will glorify God.

God loves us. He created us for fellowship with Him. Do you feel distant from God? Call on Him today. He will welcome you home. The debt of sin has been paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Bibliography

“Blue.” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 228. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015.

[1] “Blue,” in Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2015), 228.