Wealth does not Guarantee us Heaven

Sunday, April 26th, 2026

8:15 am

Good morning! Today I am in Luke 16:19-31. Jesus tells them another story. This time about a rich man that lived everyday in luxury and a poor beggar. The poor beggar laid at the rich man's gates, and he was covered in sores. The poor man's name was Lazarus. He longed for scrapes from the rich man's table. One day, Lazarus died, and angels took him to heaven to be with Abraham. The rich man also died, but he was taken to the place of the dead. The rich man saw Lazarus in heaven beside Abraham. The rich man shouted to Abraham asking him to send Lazarus to him to give him some cool water because he was in anguish in the flames. Abraham reminded him of when he was on earth, and he had everything he wanted while Lazarus had nothing. Now Lazarus is being comforted while he is in anguish. He also told the rich man that there was a vast chasm between them and no one could cross it. The rich man then asked Abraham if he could send Lazarus to his 5 brothers that were still alive on earth to warn them so they would not suffer the same fate as he is. Abraham told the rich man that they had the writings of Moses and the other prophets to warn them. But the rich man said no, that they would listen to a man that was sent from the dead. Abraham told him that if they would not listen to Moses and the prophets, then they still would not listen even if someone was sent to them from the dead.

While on earth, the rich man had everything he ever wanted, and paid no attention to the needs of Lazarus. Every single day he saw Lazarus struggling and needing help, but he did not care. And even after he died and was in hell, he still tried to get what he wanted. He wanted someone to warn his brothers so they would not suffer the same fate as him, but Abraham told him if they didn't listen to Moses and the prophets they wouldn't listen to someone sent to them from the dead.

Jesus, the Son of God was right in front of them, talking to them, and the Pharisees and the religious leaders knew the Scriptures, but they still did not believe Jesus. And Jesus knew they still would refuse to listen even after He was risen from the dead. The Pharisees and religious leaders cared more about their wealth and power, that they did not try to help those in need like Moses and all the prophets had warned. The Pharisees and religious leaders viewed wealth as a sign of God's favor on someone's life. But the story clearly shows us that it doesn't. Just because the rich man was wealthy, he did not go to heaven. His wealth did not send him to hell, it was his selfishness and refusal to listen to the Scriptures.

Wealth is not evil in itself, it is how we use it that is evil. Just like Jesus told us in the story before that no one can serve two masters. We cannot serve money and God. We must choose God first. God is the one that blesses us with what we have, including money. He knows we need money to get things done. But if we only focus on making money or building wealth, and not focus on God and serving Him, we will end up just like the rich man. God must be more important than money. When we seek God first in our finances, then God will show us how to use our money wisely, and show us how we can help other people with it. When we seek Him first, and begin using our money wisely, He will bless us with more, and we will be able to help more people. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, He begins changing our hearts, softening them, and making us want to help those in need. He wants to use us to bless His people while we are alive. Seek Him in everything you do and He will guide you on how to help those around you.