Luke 16:19-31 contains the familiar account of the “rich man” (verse 19) and a “beggar named Lazarus” (verse 20).
While on earth, the rich man had many temporal comforts (verse 19), while Lazarus had it rough (verses 20-21).
The tables were turned, though, when the two died. Verses 22-31 give perhaps the most detailed picture in Scripture of the Hadean realm, which departed souls enter while awaiting the Day of Judgment. These verses speak of Lazarus being in “Abraham’s bosom” (verse 22), a term that shows the comfort Lazarus enjoyed there (cf. verse 25). The rich man, on the other hand, was in a part of Hades referred to as “torments” (verse 23; cf. verse 28). This term demonstrates the anguish suffered by those in it (cf. verse 25).
The rich man was in so much pain that he asked for Lazarus to “dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool [his] tongue” (verse 24). He wished some things could change when his soul was in torment. He was told by Abraham, though, that there is a “great gulf fixed” between those in comfort and those in torment, and no one can pass from one side to the other (Luke 16:26). He was further shown that opportunities to exhort his family to prepare for physical death had ceased (verses 27-31). This passage gives us a striking portrait of how different things truly are from how they often appear. While the rich man appeared to “have it made” during his time on earth, the poor beggar was truly in a far better state than him. Notice the contrast brought out in verse 25. There Abraham told the rich man, “Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted, and you are in anguish.”
The rich man wasn’t wrong for being materially wealthy, but his riches profited him nothing when his time on earth ended. On the other hand, Lazarus may have been deemed a failure by the world. He had little of what most consider to be important. Yet, by pleasing God, Lazarus had far greater riches than anything the world can offer (cf. 1 Tim. 6:6; Rev. 2:9).
This passage also demonstrates the “time limit” God has given for us to obey Him. When we pass away or Judgment Day comes (whichever occurs first), it will be too late to change our fate. Wishing, like the rich man, to modify our fate, will do no good. What will do us good is to prepare, like Lazarus, while there is time. The account of the rich man and Lazarus helps us understand what is truly important. During our relatively brief time on earth (cf. James 4:14), may we live in such a way that we will be comforted, and not tormented, when our souls depart.
– Michael Hickox