Scripture to Read: Luke 16:24
The rich man was in Hades because he was unwilling to trust in God while on earth. He had chosen to trust in his riches and selfishly live a lavish lifestyle, never concerning himself with others. God’s Word tells us, though, that a life surrendered to Christ is marked by a selfless love for others. We read in 1 John 3:14, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.” We read in 1 John 4:20, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.” Jesus said in John 13:34–35, “…love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The rich man, while on earth, revealed that he loved only himself and his riches. But when he died, all the stuff he had enjoyed was gone and he was in torment. We read in Luke 16:24, “And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’” The rich man wanted relief. Even in torment, his selfishness remained, for his focus was on his relief from his pain, nothing else.
Challenge & Application
What is the true evidence of a life transformed by Christ?
How do we know the rich man was still selfish and self-absorbed even in Hades?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!