This is a chapter from J.C. Ryle's classic book Practical Religion.
RICHES AND POVERTY
"There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus at his side." Luke 16:19-23
The story or parable of Lazarus and the rich man is one of those passages of Scripture that leave an indelible impression on the mind. Like the parable of the prodigal son, once read it is never forgotten. Instead of readers, we become lookers on. We see, we hear, we almost feel like we can touch the rich man's banquet, his purple and linen finery, the gate, the beggar lying beside it, his sores, the crumbs, the dogs, the two deaths, the ministering angels, the rich man's burial, the unrelenting flames, the gulf, the hopeless remorse. It is the attainment of a famous Arabian standard of eloquence: "He speaks the best who turns the ear into an eye."
It is one thing, however, to admire the masterly composition of this parable, and quite another to receive the spiritual lessons it contains. I invite you to consider leading truths this parable is meant to teach us. Notice that since this chapter is on Riches and Poverty, I will not be discussing the entire parable, but mainly the verses highlighted at the chapter's beginning.
1. God allots different conditions to different people. The Lord Jesus begins the parable by telling us of a rich man and a beggar. He says not a word in praise either of poverty or riches. The contrast between the two men is painfully striking. One possessed an abundance of the world's finest things, while the other had literally nothing. Both are living in the same land and subjects of the same government, yet how different is their condition! Here we must be careful not to draw lessons from the parable it was never meant to teach. The rich are not always bad people who go to hell; the poor are not always good people who go to heaven. It is not necessarily wrong to be rich or for people to exist in different financial conditions. There is nothing in our Lord Jesus Christ's words to warrant that all people should be financially equal, any more than that they should all be the same height, weight, strength, and cleverness.
Universal equality is a high-sounding and popular idea, but so long as human nature is what it is, this inequality cannot be prevented. So long as some are wise and foolish, strong and weak, healthy and diseased, lazy and diligent, careful and careless—so long as children reap the fruit of their parents' misconduct—so long as sun, rain, heat, cold, wind, waves, drought, blight, storms, and earthquakes are beyond our control: there will continue be some who are rich and some who are poor. All the political economy in the world cannot make the poor altogether to "cease from the land" (Deuteronomy 15:11). If you doubt me, imagine your own country taken by force and divided equally among the inhabitants. Where do you think it would be at the end of 50 years? Is it not likely you would find things as unequal as before? Some would have worked and some not. Some would have sold and others would have bought. Some would have wasted and others would have saved. As a result, some would be rich and others poor.
Settle it in your mind that the main cause of all the suffering you see around you is sin. Sin is the root cause of the excessive luxury of the rich and the painful degradation of the poor, of the heartless selfishness of the highest classes and the helpless poverty of the lowest. Sin must be first cast out of the world. Hearts must be renewed and sanctified. The devil must be cast into everlasting destruction. The Prince of Peace must come down and reign personally. All that must be before there ever can be universal happiness and the gulf filled up that now divides the rich and poor.
Do not expect anything like that to be brought about by any method of government, system of education, or political party. Nevertheless, work hard to "do good to all" (Galatians 6:10). Pity the poor and help every reasonable endeavor to raise them from their low estate. Seek to increase knowledge and promote morality to improve the temporal condition of the poor. But never forget you live in a fallen world, that sin is all around you, and that the devil roams about. Realize that Lazarus and the rich man are emblems of two classes that will always be in the world until our Lord returns.
2. A person's temporal condition is no test of the state of his or her soul. The rich man in the parable seems to have had everything money could buy. In that temporal sense Solomon the wise wrote, "Money answers everything" and "the rich has many friends" (Ecclesiastes 10:19; Proverbs 14:20).
But who can fail to notice who reads the parable through that in the highest and best sense, the rich man was pitiably poor? Take away the temporary good things of this life and he had nothing left. With all his riches, he had no "treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). With all his regal purple and fine linen clothing, he had no "garments of salvation" (Isaiah 61:10). With all his feast companions, he had no Friend and Advocate at God's right hand (1 John 2:1). With all his sumptuous fare, he had never tasted the Bread of Life (John 6:22-40). Without God, Christ, faith, grace, pardon, and holiness he lives to himself a few short years and then goes down hopelessly into the pit. How hollow and unreal was all his prosperity!
Lazarus appears to have been one who had literally nothing in the world. It is hard to conceive a case of greater misery and destitution than his. He had neither house, money, food, health, nor clothes, it is likely. His picture is one that cannot be forgotten: he laid at the rich man's gate covered in sores that mongrel dogs licked. He longed to be fed with the mere crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. It is not for nothing that Solomon observed, "The poor is hated even by his own neighbor"; "the destruction of the poor is their poverty" (Proverbs 14:20; 10:15).
But who can fail to see that in the highest sense, Lazarus was obviously not poor but rich? He was a child of God. He possessed durable riches and righteousness. His place was prepared for him in heaven. He actually had the best of clothing: the righteousness of the Savior. He had the best of friends: God Himself. He had the best of food: that which the world knows nothing about. They supported him in life. They did not leave him in the hour of death. They went with him beyond the grave. They remain his for eternity. Surely from this divine point of view we say not "poor Lazarus," but "rich Lazarus."
Likewise we do well to measure all people by God's standard: not by the amount of their income, but by the condition of their souls. The risen Christ encouraged a group of suffering believers by telling them, "I know your ... poverty (but you are rich)" (Revelation 2:9). He told another group something very different: "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent" (Revelation 3:17-19).
We may therefore be sure that riches and worldly greatness are no certain marks of God's favor. They are often instead snares to the soul by tempting people to love the world and forget God. Listen to what Solomon learned, "Do not overwork to be rich" (Proverbs 23:4). Hear the prayer of fellow wise man Agur: "Give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God" (Proverbs 30:8-9). Notice this warning from Paul: "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts that drown men in destruction and perdition" (1 Timothy 6:9).
We may similarly be sure that poverty and adversity are no certain proofs of God's anger. They are often blessings in disguise, always sent in love and wisdom. They often serve to wean us from the world and teach us to set our affections on things above. "Happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty" (Job 5:17). "Whom the Lord loves He chastens" (Hebrews 12:6).
One great secret of happiness in this life is to be patient and content. Strive daily to realize the truth that this life is not the place of reward. The time of retribution and recompense is yet to come. Judge nothing hastily before that time. Consider these words from the wise: "If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them" (Ecclesiastes 5:8). Yes, there is a final judgment to come. That day shall put all in their right places. At last there shall be seen a mighty difference between "the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him" (Malachi 3:18). The children of Lazarus and the children of the rich man shall be seen in their true colors, and shall be treated accordingly.
3. Death comes to all. The rich man in the parable died, and Lazarus died also. Different and divided as they were in their lives, both had to drink of the same cup. Death is a mighty leveler. Oh, that all would live as those who will one day die! Would that preachers faithfully remind us as England's King Charles II said of this minister: "That man preaches as though death was behind his back. When I hear him I cannot go to sleep!" Truly it is a poor work to set our affections on a dying world and its short-lived comforts, yet for the sake of an inch of time lose a glorious eternity! Here we are toiling over trifles and running to and fro like ants, yet after a few years we shall all be gone and other generations will fill our place. Let us live for eternity, seeking a portion that can never be taken from us.
4. A believer's soul is precious in the sight of God. Perhaps the rich man had a splendid funeral, but the next thing the parable tells us after he died and was buried is that he was in hell. Poor Lazarus died first and nothing is said about what was surely a humble burial, but what we are told is glorious: he was "carried by angels to Abraham's bosom," a place of rest, where all the faithful are waiting for the resurrection of the just. Another description of that blessed company is "the assembly of the Firstborn who are enrolled in heaven ... the spirits of the righteous made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23).
This beautiful description by our Lord of the care Lazarus received speaks of the care bestowed on the least and lowest of us among Christ's disciples by the King of kings Himself. No one has such friends and attendants as the believer, however little he or she may think of it. Angels rejoice over him the day he is born again by the Spirit (Luke 15). Angels minister to her throughout her life (Matthew 18:10; Hebrews 1:13-14). They encamp around him in the wilderness of this world, and take charge of his soul in death, bearing him safely home.
The world foolishly thinks little of those whom they are despising when they mock Christ's people. They are mocking those whom angels serve. They are mocking the brothers and sisters of Christ Himself (Hebrews 2:11-13). Little do they consider that these are the ones for whom worldwide tribulation will one day be shortened (Matthew 24:21-22). These are they by whom governments rule peacefully (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Worldly people fail to realize that the prayers of those like Lazarus and other humble believers have more weight in the affairs of nations than armed companies. I urge all faithful Christians reading this to acquaint yourselves with the fullness of the treasure laid up for you in Christ even now. Learn to live by faith more than you have done. This world must always be a place of trial while we are in the body, but still there are comforts provided for us brethren of Lazarus to enjoy.
5. Selfishness is a dangerous and soul-ruining sin. We meet the rich man in the parable dressed in fine clothing. We part with him at the end tormented in flames. There is nothing to show that he was a murderer, thief, adulterer, or liar. There is no reason to think he was a religious skeptic or blasphemer. Perhaps he attended to all the ordinances of the Jewish religion. We read nothing recorded against him that might not be recorded of hundreds and thousands of rich men and women in the present day who are considered respectable people. But we do know the rich man in the parable was lost forever. Surely that deserves serious attention.
A. Beware of living only for ourselves. These are serious questions to ask ourselves: Whom do I live for: myself or Christ? What is the great end, aim, object, and ruling motive of my life? Notice how Paul describes the aim of Christ's death on the cross for all kinds of people throughout history: that those who have new life in Him "should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). If, like the rich man, we live only for ourselves, we shall ruin our souls.
B. Sins of omission are damning. It does not seem that it was so much the things the rich man did, but the things he left undone that made him miss heaven. Lazarus was living in a pitiable state at his very gate, but the rich man left him alone. The Lord Jesus described a similar scenario in His Parable of the Sheep and Goats: "I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me" (Matthew 25:42-43). Unless we take care, sins of omission may likewise bring our souls to final judgment.
C. Riches bring special danger with them. That is ironic because the vast majority of people eagerly seek after and spend their lives on that which brings immense spiritual peril. The possession of riches has a hardening effect on the soul. They chill. They can close the eye to the things of faith. They insensibly produce a tendency to forget God. What did our Lord Jesus say? "How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God" (Mark 10:23-25). What did Paul say? "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:10). There are plenty of biblical examples: For money Achan brought defeat on the armies of Israel and death to himself and his family (Joshua 7). For money Balaam sinned against light and tried to curse God's people. For money Delilah betrayed Samson to the Philistines (Judges 16). For money Gehazi lied to Naaman and Elisha, and became a leper (2 Kings 5). For money Ananias and Sapphira became the first hypocrites in the early church, and lost their lives (Acts 5). For money Judas Iscariot sold Christ and was ruined eternally. Surely those facts speak loudly.
Money, in truth, is one of the most unsatisfying possessions. It takes away some cares, no doubt, but brings with it more than it takes away. There is first the trouble of acquiring it. Then follows anxiety in keeping it. Temptations abound in how to use it. Guilt occurs from the abuse of it. Sorrow comes from the loss of it, and perplexity from disposing it. Perhaps two-thirds of all the quarrels and lawsuits in the world arise from one simple cause: money. It seems desirable from a distance, but often proves poisonous when in hand. Many who did well in humble circumstances forget God when they suddenly become rich. I draw the conclusion that those who have abundant resources, like the rich man in the parable, need to be aware they live in an unhealthy spiritual atmosphere. They have double need to be on guard for the sake of their souls.
D. Selfishness will characterize the last days. We have this special warning: "Understand this, that in the last days ... people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant ... heartless, unappeasable ... without self-control, brutal, not loving good ... reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1-4). The vices of the rich man in Jesus' parable are not limited to ancient times. We often like to boast about how civilized we are in modern times, but we are much the same as the people of Jesus' day and are getting worse. Sometimes, however, we are poor judges of our own times since we may exaggerate its evils because we see and feel them. Nevertheless, I doubt whether there ever was more need of warnings against selfishness than now. Was there ever a time when all classes of people have had so many comforts and so many temporal good things? Sadly, that corresponds with an increasing disproportion between people's expenditure on themselves and their outlay of time and money on deeds of mercy.
I ask all professing Christians to consider well what Scripture says against covetousness and selfishness, and on behalf of liberality in giving money. Is it for nothing that Jesus said, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions?" He went on to tell the Parable of the Rich Fool, who decided to tear down his barns and build bigger ones, saying to himself, "You have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease: eat, drink, and be merry!" But God claimed his foolish soul that very night, saying to him, "Now whose will those things be that you have provided?" Jesus concluded, "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, but is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:13-21). Is it for nothing that He mentions "the deceitfulness of riches" (Matthew 13:22) as one reason the seed of the Word bears no fruit in a person's life? Is it for nothing that He gave us the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), warning us against the priest and Levite who saw the wounded traveler, but passed by on the other side, and praising the good Samaritan who denied himself to show kindness to a needy stranger?
Our Lord Jesus had much to say about the wise use of money. For example, "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If you have not been faithful in unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you true [spiritual] riches?... No servant can serve two masters ... you cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:10-13). "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just" (Luke 14:12-14). "Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys" (Luke 12:33). "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Is there not a striking and painful difference between this language and the habits and feelings of our culture about money? I appeal to anyone who knows the world.
Knowing that giving to the poor cannot atone for sin is good. So is realizing our good works cannot justify us before God, but let us not go to the opposite extreme by not giving at all, or hardly at all, because our money cannot save us. Are you wealthy? Then do as Jesus said by taking care to "beware of covetousness" (Luke 12:15). Remember you carry weight in the race to heaven. All who love the Lord are urged to "lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and ... run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2). Abraham, Job, and David were all rich and yet saved. With God nothing is impossible, but look to yourself, reminding yourself often that money is a good servant, but a bad master.
Do you have very little money yourself? Then do not envy those who are richer than you. Pray for them and even pity them. Remember that high places are giddy places, so do not be hasty to condemn their conduct. Perhaps if you had their difficulties, you would do no better yourself. Beware of loving money, for that all-consuming love rather than money itself "is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). A man may love money fiercely while having little to none of it himself. Beware of going to the opposite extreme by assuming your poverty will save you. If you would sit with Lazarus in glory, you must have fellowship with him not only in suffering, but also in "the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1).
Do you desire to know the remedy against selfishness, which ruined the rich man's soul and cleaves to us all by nature, like our skin? Nothing will ever cure it but an experimental knowledge of Christ's redeeming love. You must realize the misery and guilt of your fallen human condition. You must experience the power of Christ's atoning blood sprinkled upon your conscience by faith, making you whole. You must taste the sweetness of peace with God through the mediation of Jesus, feeling the love of a reconciled Father poured into your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:1-11). Then and only then will the mainspring of selfishness be broken. Feeling that you have been loved much when you deserved nothing, you will heartily love in return, saying, "What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?" (Psalm 116:12). Realizing you have been "bought with a price" and are no longer your own, you will labor to glorify God with your body and spirit, which are His (1 Corinthians 6:20).
A believing apprehension of the love of Christ is the only effective cure for selfishness. Other remedies may palliate the disease, but that alone will heal it. An easy, good natured temper may cover over selfishness in one person. A love of praise may conceal it in a second. A self-righteous asceticism and affected spirit of self-denial may keep it out of sight in a third. But nothing will ever pull up selfishness by the roots except the love of Christ revealed in the mind by the Holy Spirit, and felt in the heart by faith. Only let a man see the meaning of the words "Christ loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), and he will delight to give himself to Christ and all that he has to His service and people.
I conclude by urging on every reader the great duty of self-inquiry after considering the parable of Lazarus and the rich man. Ask yourself Where am I going? What am I doing? What is likely to be my condition after death? Am I prepared to leave the world? Have I any home to look forward to in the world to come? Am I really one with Christ and a pardoned soul? Do what you need to do to be right with Him. If you already have, do all that you can to be generous when you have the opportunity to help people in your life who are like Lazarus in some shape or form.
I ask no one to neglect his or her worldly calling and omit providing for family. Diligence in business is a positive Christian duty. Provision for those dependent on us is proper Christian stewardship. But as we journey through this world, let us look around us and "remember the poor" (Galatians 2:10), the poor in body and in soul. We are here for only a few short years. How can we do the most good with our money while we are here? How can we spend it so as to leave the world a somewhat happier and holier place? Is there anyone we can do good to, someone whose sorrows we might lessen and whose comforts we might increase? There are none to whom such appeals ought to come home with such power as professing believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. For a poor Lazarus-like world He came down from heaven and humbled Himself to become a man, doing good and caring for men's bodies as well as their souls, which led Him to the cross. In supporting works of charity and mercy as best we can, we are doing that which is according to the mind of Christ.
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