Rich man Poor man parable.

W2L

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What do you make of this parable?

Luke 16:19 “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.’
 

JazzHands

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Reminds me of "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" ..sorry, had to paraphrase!

I think the chasm represents a psychological (i.e. spiritual) barrier, not imposed by a vindictive God but by the rich man's inability to understand the nature of compassion.

I wonder if spiritual proximity i.e. 'empathy' is a factor of the trial?
 
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JIMINZ

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This Parable about the rich man poor man ends with the meaning.

Luke 16:29-31
29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
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.

The Parable is about the Jewish people (Nation) of that time, they would not accept Jesus as their Messiah, even though He would rise from the dead.
 
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W2L

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Reminds me of "It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven" ..sorry, had to paraphrase!

I think the chasm represents a psychological (i.e. spiritual) barrier, not imposed by a vindictive God but by the rich man's inability to understand the nature of compassion.

I wonder if spiritual proximity i.e. 'empathy' is a factor of the trial?
Thank you.
 
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W2L

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This Parable about the rich man poor man ends with the meaning.

Luke 16:29-31
29) Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30) And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
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.

The Parable is about the Jewish people (Nation) of that time, they would not accept Jesus as their Messiah, even though He would rise from the dead.
Thanks for your reply.
 
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W2L

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Something i read in a commentary.

Generosity: Handling Money and Possessions
The use of wealth is the major topic of Luke 16. Wealth can be a blessing or a curse, depending on whether it is used as a means to exercise power, a tool of self-indulgence or a resource to serve others. Wealth's danger is that it can turn our focus toward our own enjoyment, as the rich fool showed in 12:13-21 and as the rich man of 16:19-31 will show. Money is a tool. It is an excellent resource when put to the right use. It can help to build many things of use to others. But to possess money is also to hold a sacred stewardship. Our resources are not to be privately held and consumed but are to be used as a means of generosity, as a way of showing care for our neighbor, as the good Samaritan showed in 10:25-37 and as a restored Zacchaeus will show in 19:1-10.

Two parables unique to Luke make this twofold point about wealth. Between the two parables comes a short description of the two periods in God's plan, with Jesus' declaration that the new era demands faithfulness in our commitment to others, just like the commitment a spouse makes in marriage.The Parable of the Shrewd Steward (16:1-13)

Luke 16 Commentary - Generosity: Handling Money and Possessions - BibleGateway.com
 
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W2L

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Here is another good video, regarding the issue when it comes to pastoral greed.
I agree with the man in the video. People die in this world like poor lazarus while rich men live in luxury. Preachers should not be part of that problem. They should never live in luxury while poor people are dying. Look at the horrible example that sets. They are not teachers. Teachers lead by example. Peter said so, and Paul lived that way. What example are these teachers giving us?

This scripture comes to mind. It refers to spiritual blindness, in my opinion.

Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy,[d] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
 
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JIMINZ

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What are true riches?

Luke 16:11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?

Unrighteous wealth is the Physical Money of the world, Mammon.

The True Riches, is the Knowledge of the Kingdom of God.
 
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