The Parables of Jesus - The Rich Man and The Poor Man

Introduction

We are going to continue with this parable of Jesus, as He speaks and teaches His disciples, again concerning the attitude of the Pharisees, their way of behaving toward the people and toward the Scriptures. They were supposed to prepare the people of God for the coming of the Messiah, the King of Israel, and to represent Him on earth.

But Jesus also confronted these religious leaders through the Scriptures, because they were experts in the Law and the Prophets, yet they had not understood the important responsibility they had toward the people of God: to teach them the Scriptures, but also to put them into practice.

Jesus was warning His disciples against those who speak about God, who live under a form of godliness, but who, in reality, do not know God personally and do not have a deep desire to love Him through their actions. Their actions should fully confirm their priorities and their belonging to a merciful God, full of compassion toward those who are in need.

We will also see Jesus exposing the Pharisees in this account, by showing a clear contrast between a man who was rich in appearance, but poor according to God, and a poor man, Lazarus, who is not presented as righteous simply because he was poor, but as an example that brings out the attitude of the Pharisees:

An appearance of godliness, but a hard and uncompassionate behavior toward those who suffer, who are also God's creation; those who take the first place, who think about their own stomachs, and who judge according to their hearts, which are far from God.

Another important point is the coming of Jesus, which had been announced in the Scriptures, but which the Pharisees neither recognized nor believed.

This is where the problem lies: knowing God in the Scriptures is one thing, but seeing the fulfillment of the Scriptures is another. They were the ones who should have been the first to recognize Him and to discern the times in which they were living: the time of the long-awaited Messiah had arrived.

God must also reveal Himself around us through the way we represent the King of kings, the Lord of lords, Jesus Christ, in this world, because through this we can recognize those who belong to Him and preach the Word of the Gospel to them before His return.

This is a great, clear, and sober lesson revealed in His Word for us, His Church, for which He suffered, which He purchased at a great price through His precious blood on the cross of Calvary, in order to give us abundant life and to use this life for the glory of God.

Let us read the passage together.

Teaching - Reading Luke 16:19-31

Context of the Passage

“The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.” v.14

It is important to understand that Jesus is addressing the Pharisees because of a major problem: they were “greedy,” and this is why we have this parable about a rich man and a poor man.

Greed is a sin according to God. It shows a condition of the heart that is entirely turned toward oneself, while ignoring the condition of others in our immediate surroundings or directly within our field of vision.

There is an absolute truth here: generosity and compassion are two attributes of God, and for those who belong to Him, these things must be visible to the people around us.

And then, the Pharisees were also mocking Jesus because of what He was saying in His teaching, certainly in an arrogant and condescending way toward Him.

Often, when a person has a heart that is closed or rebellious toward the truth, the first reaction can be to mock or reject what is being said, judging it at first according to their own understanding.

But the Bible tells us that we must judge by the Spirit, and that it is through the Scriptures that we are called to confirm what comes from God and what is pleasing to Him.

If the Pharisees had understood the Scriptures, they certainly would not have had this attitude toward Jesus, but would instead have had complete conviction and reverence toward the Son of God, the Physician who came to heal from sin the souls whom the Father draws to Christ, that sin which separates us from the holiness of God.

After looking at the context, let us now look at the parable.

Their Earthly Condition

"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores." v.19-21

Here, at the beginning of the parable, Jesus shows us a clear comparison: a rich man and a poor man, one dressed like a lord, living a comfortable and peaceful life, and then the other having a completely opposite life, in extreme physical and certainly emotional suffering.

The important thing is not to focus on the social condition of these two men, but rather to see what Jesus is telling us: the condition of the heart is central, because everything comes from the heart—our thoughts and our actions.

The rich man, on the one hand, saw this poor man every day, because he was lying at his gate. He was not there occasionally, but every day, certainly seeing him lying on the ground, or even seeing the dogs coming to lick his sores.

As for the poor man, Lazarus, he still desired that crumbs would fall from the rich man's table so that he could eat them, being content with very little.

Jesus shows us that the Pharisees represented this attitude of the rich man. They were dressed in beautiful clothes, eating abundantly, and not going toward people considered “unclean.”

This rich man indeed had a physical barrier represented by this gate, the entrance to his home, which could keep people away from fellowship and isolate them, while ignoring the suffering of others in order to enjoy the pleasures of the world.

This sharing is not given in a moralistic tone, but rather to describe what Jesus is saying to His disciples through this parable, and therefore to all those who belong to Him: to care about the poor and needy, sick people and those without hope.

Jesus came to fulfill the moral Law, not only by teaching it, but also by living it perfectly before His disciples. He, who is the living Word of God, showed them through His life and His ministry the spiritual and practical conduct that those who belong to Him should have.

He called them to love their neighbor as themselves, their brothers and sisters, and to provide for the needs of those who are close to them, as good servants serving one another.

This is exactly what He showed them through His example and His earthly ministry, and also what He shows His Church today.

Their Condition After Death

"“The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side." v.22–23

We can see that both men died, but the destination of the two men was different.

The poor man was carried by angels into Abraham's side, Abraham, the Patriarch of Israel, with whom God made an eternal covenant for His people, to bless all nations through all his descendants, through faith that produces sincere obedience—and the rich man was buried.

It is already interesting to see that, according to our Lord Jesus, there is indeed a judgment, two destinations, a separation, a reality that is written for us to show us this reality today.

The time will come when all of us will have to face one day: our physical death on earth, but also our destiny after death.

For those who will be sheltered, like poor Lazarus, in Abraham's side—that is, in the presence of God—there will be a reassuring and comfortable reality, without torment, for eternity.

This is indeed what the Word of God tells us: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:4 (ESV)

While for those who will be buried, far from the presence of God, like the rich man, with his heart of stone, having enjoyed the pleasures of the world without love for God and for others, there will be another destination, still in the realm of the dead, but in a place of torment and continual gnashing of teeth.

The fact that the rich man could see Abraham and Lazarus clearly shows, in the account, the contrast between the two destinations and the separation that now exists between them, and how great that separation is.

But what could possibly separate them? Is it the fact that they are destined for this separation by a divine and sovereign will of God? Or is their attitude the reason for this eternal judgment?

All these questions are part of what we call election by grace and the holy sovereignty of God in His only Son, Jesus Christ. And it is through the attitude and disposition of the heart that the belonging of souls to God is revealed and confirmed.

The salvation of souls does not depend on us, because we cannot save ourselves. It is a sovereign action decided by God, who has made us capable or qualified us and transferred us from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. (Colossians 1:12-13)

However, by telling this parable, Jesus reveals the heart of this rich man, far from reflecting compassion and generosity.

The Rich Man’s Plea

"And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’" v.24

The rich man tries at all costs to make himself heard by Abraham, crying from his place of torment.

But his request is nevertheless interesting: he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to him, the one who had been at his gate, treated like a pest, with a still rather superior tone, like a master toward a servant, so that he would send him to refresh him with a drop of water in this terribly burning and difficult place.

Pity, or rather repentance, is not the subject of the rich man's request in the realm of the dead, because unfortunately, it is far too late.

He is asking only for relief from his suffering, asking that his tongue be refreshed with a drop of water.

God grants forgiveness to souls and frees them from their suffering while they are still on earth. Once souls enter the realm of the dead, it is finished; there is no possible way out.

Roman Catholicism teaches in its doctrine that there is a place called purgatory, a place that receives souls, and that believers should pray for the souls of the dead so that God may show His mercy toward them and that they may be purified.

Well, through this passage, we can see that this is not what Jesus and the Word of God tell us. The doctrine of purgatory is not taught in the Scriptures.

If God forgives, it is only through faith in His Son, by His grace and His will, in order to accomplish His purpose on earth through us, as good witnesses of His grace toward people who are in need of salvation, seeing not merely religious people, but rather people in the love through which they represent God in His love for others.

The rich man did nothing for the poor man — This reminds us of what Jesus says addressing the Pharisees in the Gospel of John: “They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,” — John 8:39 (ESV). 

So, let us see how Abraham answers him.

Abraham’s Response

"But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’" v.25–26

It is now Abraham's turn to answer the rich man.

When Abraham calls this man his “child,” this shows us that he is aware that he is a descendant of Abraham, the Patriarch of God's covenant with Israel. This leads us to say that this rich man knew the promises made through the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

When Jesus tells us in the parable that the man “received his good things during his lifetime,” this shows us that he had indeed benefited from the fruits and gifts of the community, but he did not practice good around him. This opportunity had been given to him.

Lazarus, on the other hand, received bad things, but apparently his heart, the invisible part of man, must have been right in the eyes of God, considering his destination in Abraham's arms, because despite his calamities, in this passage he does not deny God or consciously sin against Him, accepting his condition in the face of suffering.

This reminds us of Job, who, despite all his suffering and the various attacks he experienced, kept his heart right toward God.

Yes, there is a reversal of the situation; the roles have been reversed.

One lived abundantly on earth and now suffers in the realm of the dead, while the other experienced suffering on earth and now lives in comfort in the arms of Abraham.

This shows us that despite our condition on earth, we do not know who will be in the arms of the eternal Father.

However, we can see Christ in our works on earth, because this is not a matter of salvation, since salvation cannot be purchased, but rather of the confirmation of our salvation and our belonging to Christ.

The great chasm described here is an image given to show us the great separation that God has placed between these two situations. God, in His omnipotence, knows this separation, and it has also been willed by Him.

Proverbs 16:4 tells us: “The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.”

The parable tells us that one will be buried and the other will be taken by the angels.

It is written and established by God.

Not that God is unjust according to human understanding, but according to His omniscience, His holiness, which separates us from His presence because of our sin.

We cannot pass from one side to the other; everything has been established and decided by God.

The Rich Man’s Late recognition

"And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’" v.27-28

The rich man calls out to Abraham again and begs him, this time asking him to send Lazarus to his brothers so that they might avoid the terrible suffering he is experiencing because of this separation from Abraham.

Once again, the rich man thinks that Lazarus has the status of a servant, doing something for him!

But Lazarus now has the status of a child of God. The rich man did not understand that Lazarus had entered the kingdom of God and that he now had a new identity, a co-heir with Christ!

But here, the word “warn” takes on a particular meaning.

This request is based only on carnal remorse, not because he regrets his condition before God, but simply because he is suffering. Yet God’s compassion has been manifested in Jesus Christ, of whom the Scriptures bear witness.

No one can testify to these things except the Scriptures, proclaimed by the various prophets throughout hundreds of years.

The urgency of his request shows the complete despair of this man who was “rich” at that time, but who will now be poor forever, because his riches could not save him and could not be taken with him.

This late realization shows how important salvation is while we are still on earth, and how important it is to accomplish the works that accompany it, not to do our own will, but the will of the Father, because without this we will not be anchored in the firm assurance that is given to us by the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Abraham’s Scriptural Response

"But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’" v.29

Here we see a real dialogue developing between the rich man and Abraham, but unfortunately, it will lead nowhere.

Despite all his supplications and requests, Abraham’s answer is short and clear: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.”

Yes, because there is a difference between hearing and listening.

To hear is to perceive words with our ears. We can hear someone without really paying attention, without seeking to understand, and without necessarily acting upon what we hear.

But listening is more deliberate: it means paying attention, seeking to understand, and taking seriously what is being said.

So when Abraham says, “Let them hear them,” this is an active command. They already have God’s revelation through Moses and the Prophets. The issue is not simply whether they will hear the words, but whether they will truly listen to them, believe them, and obey them.

This is why the Scriptures are central in this passage. God has already spoken through His Word, which testifies about Him.

Of course, Moses and the prophets are no longer alive. But their message remains through the Word of God, given to us through the Holy Spirit, who inspired more than forty authors over many centuries so that we might be guided by it.

When the Holy Spirit saves and sets apart the believer by the sovereign grace of God, he is adopted by the Father and united to Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection. He can therefore understand the Scriptures as a lamp that shines on his heart and his path, revealing the wisdom of God so that He may be glorified through us.

But the rich man will try once again to make one last request to Abraham.

The Rich Man’s lack of Spiritual Understanding

"And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’" v.30

This request is like a kind of last chance to save these brothers from the place of eternal torment.

First, he says “No” to Abraham! And then he starts again by giving ideas to find a solution to his condition!

He asks Abraham that someone from the dead should go to them so that they might repent and believe in God.

What an attitude toward God, isn't it? Furthermore, repentance caused simply by seeing a miracle is not necessarily a sign of faith, but can rather be a reaction of fear or superstition, because Jesus tells us that even demons perform miracles.

It is not because someone has seen a dead person rise again or a miracle of God that he will necessarily have faith in Jesus Christ.

There are many examples in the Bible where Jesus performs miracles and people go away or wait for another one for their own needs, but their hearts are not changed by the conviction that He is the Messiah or the Savior of the world.

When Jesus healed the ten lepers, only one returned to give glory to God.

This shows us that miracles, once performed, can be received without true recognition of the truth, because the love of God is not necessarily in the hearts of those who want God for His miracles, but not because they love Him and want to obey Him.

Waiting for a miraculous sign in order to believe in God is not something that pleases God.

Like Abraham, we are justified by God through faith, and not by seeing some particular thing.

This is the definition of saving faith, the faith that comes from conviction of the truth, as the apostle Paul says: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (ESV)

Let us now see what Abraham's final response will be to this last request.

Abraham’s Final Scriptural Response

"He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’" v.31

First, Abraham gently tells him that if they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, it is because their heart is somewhere else, and their attention and priorities are not turned toward eternal things.

They are not seeking God, but rather temporal things.

Second, they will not be persuaded because of their unbelief, their spiritual blindness, and their fleshly desires.

The apostle Paul tells us beautifully: “But the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” — 1 Corinthians 2:14

Jesus uses here a tone that is not ironic, but sadly true: even if they saw a dead person rise again, they would not believe.

This means that no outward sign can, by itself, produce true faith in an unbelieving heart if God does not draw that person to Himself by His sovereign grace.

So, what message should we retain from this parable and bring to those around us? What fundamental realities should we apply in our own lives and pass on to those around us?

Conclusion

True wealth is not the wealth that is visible, but the wealth that is invisible.

This parable calls us to have eternal perspectives and not simply temporal ones: not to live in materialism, self-sufficiency, and the pursuit of the things of this world, but to seek the riches that have eternal value before God.

It also reminds us of the urgency of preaching and listening to the whole Word of God, the Old and New Testaments, because the Scriptures reveal God's plan of redemption through the work of Jesus Christ.

Faith in Jesus Christ saves here and now, while we are still on earth. That is why repentance is urgent: we must repent before it is too late. And this true faith produces a transformation in our lives.

Let us therefore allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts so that we put the Word of God into practice: loving God and our neighbor as ourselves, and not doing to others what we would not want them to do to us.

This parable also reminds us of the reality of eternal consequences: there will be a final judgment for everyone, the righteous as well as the unrighteous.

Finally, it brings us back to the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures.

We do not need another sign, another revelation, or another manifestation in order to understand God's plan.

We have His Word, which reveals Jesus Christ to us, His redemptive work, and the way of salvation.

So, while we are still on this earth, let us listen to the Word of God, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of our sins, and live for Him, so that our lives may truly testify to the grace of God that saved us and that we may share eternity with Christ. Amen