How many of you would like to be rich? How many of you think that riches would solve all your problems? Do you think that with riches you would be set for life, you would be happy and you would have the complete satisfaction that you’ve been looking for?
Here are the stories of four rich men. It is a fascinating study on how they lived, what their desires were, what they tried so hard for and what the result of their choices were.
The Rich Farmer (Luke 12:16-2116And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:16‑21))
Jesus told this parable (a story to teach a moral lesson) to the people who came to hear Him. The ground of a “certain rich man” was so fertile that it brought forth “abundantly”; there was so much fruit that the rich man’s barns could not hold it all! So, he thought within himself, “I’ll just tear down my old barns and build bigger and better ones; then I’ll have enough room to store all of my fruits and possessions.” He had worked hard, and it had paid off, to the point where he didn’t even have enough room to store it all!
From a business point of view, this was a very wise decision to make. From a humanistic point of view, it was the only thing that made sense. But God was looking down on this rich man and saw that something was missing. He did not acknowledge or thank God for the warm sun, refreshing rain and fertile soil that had produced so bountifully for him. In fact, there was no room for God in his heart at all; all he was thinking about was the good and easy retirement that he was going to enjoy! With complete and total self-confidence, he said to himself, “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” His plan was to live it up and enjoy the fruits of all his hard work.
But God knew something that the rich man didn’t know. His retirement plan for “many years” was going to end abruptly that very night! “God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” God calls the rich man a fool — not because he was rich — but because his only focus was on gaining riches along with selfish living WITHOUT one thought toward his Creator God. The question God asked points out the obvious: When we die, we can take nothing with us; all must be left behind for someone else. That very night the rich man was to enter into eternity, without his many possessions, poor towards God. Jesus ends the parable by saying, “So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Earthly treasure is fleeting and temporary; heavenly treasure is lasting and eternal. Jesus was teaching that to have a covetous greed for riches and possessions will only leave you poor toward God. To be “rich toward God,” you must know God. To know God, you must have “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:2121Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)).
A Certain Rich Man (Luke 16:19-3119There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:19‑31))
In this story, Jesus gives the details of the lives and afterlives of two people: One was very rich and had no faith in the Word of God; the other was very poor and had faith in the Word of God. Jesus was going to reveal what happens after death to those who believe in Him and to those who have no saving faith in Him.
The rich man, whose name is not given, was clothed in gorgeous apparel — “in purple and fine linen” and “fared sumptuously” every day. The picture is of a man who lived in complete pleasure and lacked nothing. But, inevitably, “the rich man also died, and was buried.”
On the other hand, a “certain beggar named Lazarus” was laid at the rich man’s gate, being “full of sores.” His desire was to be “fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.” To add to Lazarus’ misery, we are told “the dogs came and licked his sores.”
In today’s world, many are working hard for what the rich man had: lavish living, rich clothing, even a “gated” or secure home! Lazarus, on the other hand, had a very hard life: poor, begging for food, and sick as well. You would never know which it was from their outward lives, but one was rich toward God and the other was poor toward God. One had saving faith in his heart and the other did not. Jesus was about to reveal what happens after death to those who have saving faith in Him and to those who do not. What do you have in your heart toward God?
“It came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.” Here we learn that Lazarus was in a place of rest, joy and peace. But what happened to the rich man? “In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” Jesus is pulling back the veil and wants us to know what happens after death. First of all, there is an afterlife. We do not just die and that’s the end of us! We are fully conscious in our afterlife. The rich man knew who Abraham and Lazarus were. The rich man was also capable of speech.
It is interesting to note that the rich man did not ask to be released from the torment that he was in — only that it be alleviated. That was the “mercy” that he asked for! He knew that he deserved to be there because of his unbelief toward God. But Abraham simply pointed out the obvious to the rich man, that he in his lifetime had received “good things” and that Lazarus in his lifetime had received “evil things.” Now that they had died, it was just the opposite.
The Lord is not saying that if you’re rich, you’ll go to be tormented and if you’re poor you’ll go to eternal rest. He is showing us what is on the other side for those who have faith in Jesus, and those who do not have faith in Jesus. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)). Again, what will your choice be? Will you be “comforted,” or will you be “tormented” after you die?
Abraham now explains why the rich man saw them “afar off.” “Beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Lazarus was in “paradise” (Luke 23:4343And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)) and the rich man was “tormented.”
Realizing the finality of his awful condition, the rich man then begs Abraham to send Lazarus to his father’s house because he had five brothers who he did not want to come into that “place of torment.” But Abraham told him that Lazarus’ rest was not to be disturbed and that his brothers had “Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.” In other words, they had the same Old Testament scriptures that Lazarus had believed! But the rich man, knowing how his brothers loved their sins and knowing their hearts of unbelief, said, “Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.” The rich man was sure that if Lazarus miraculously rose from the dead, his five brothers would repent and have saving faith! But Abraham simply pointed out that they had all the witness that they needed to enter paradise; if they wouldn’t believe that witness, their hard hearts and stubborn unbelief would not change, “though one rose from the dead.”
Today, we have the proof that the rich man wanted his five brothers to have. Jesus is risen indeed! The tomb is empty; the work of redemption is accomplished. Do you believe it, and have you repented toward God?
The Rich Young Ruler
(Mark 10:17-2717And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. (Mark 10:17‑27); Luke 18:18-2718And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. (Luke 18:18‑27))
Mark and Luke combine to tell us the incident of a rich young ruler who came to Jesus with a very important question. This young man was in earnest, for we are told that he came “running” and that he “kneeled” before Jesus. Not only did he not let the opportunity slip by to ask Jesus his question, but he showed him respect by kneeling before him. His great question was, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Though this young man had ambition and respect, both good qualities in themselves, he had made two huge mistakes, mistakes that many people are still making today! First, he addressed Jesus as “Good Master.” He did not see Jesus for who He truly was — the Son of God, the Savior of sinners! Jesus tries to reach his conscience as to who He was by saying, “Why callest thou Me good? There is none good but One, that is, God.” Jesus was telling this young man that He was God. Many people today think that Jesus was just a “good man,” a “great teacher” and a “good example” to follow, but they do not see Him for who He truly was and is. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).
The other big mistake in this young man’s question was asking Jesus what he could “do” to inherit eternal life. This young man thought, just as many people do today, that there surely must be something they can do to earn their salvation. He thought that he was good enough to receive eternal life. He did not realize the wretchedness of his own heart, or his hopeless condition as a sinner before God. His conscience had not been reached; Jesus was now going to expose what was truly in his heart.
Jesus then quoted from the Ten Commandments. “Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother.” The young man’s answer was, “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.” Wow! This was indeed a “good” young man! Imagine being young, very rich and having such a sterling character that you could honestly say you had not broken any of these commandments. This man was so good that you would have wanted him for your neighbor! You could trust your children around him; he would never steal from you, and he would always tell you the truth. Jesus does not challenge the young man’s answer; instead, “Jesus beholding him loved him.” In tender love, Jesus looks upon every man and woman and says, “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)). If you hunger after peace and eternal life, it is offered freely through faith in Christ Jesus.
Jesus then shows the young man exactly what his hindrance was in receiving eternal life. Jesus was going to show this young man that he had a covetous heart; he loved his riches and possessions and wanted to keep them. He did not love Jesus; he did not want to put his faith and trust in Jesus alone for his salvation.
Jesus very clearly tells him that he is lacking one thing. He tells him that he needs to sell all that he has and give it to the poor. If he does this, then he will have treasure in heaven. Then he needed to “come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” In a few, simple words, Jesus cut to the heart of his problem and delivered a profound message. Jesus was NOT saying that if you’re rich, you should sell all that you have and give it to the poor to obtain eternal life, as if by doing a charitable work you will get into heaven! Oh no. He was exposing the covetous nature in the rich young ruler’s heart. His love of riches and possessions prevented him from receiving eternal life! He wanted treasure on earth rather than treasure in heaven. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:2121For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:21)).
So how did the rich man respond? Would he come and take up his cross and follow Jesus? No! He made a terrible choice. “He was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” He had counted the cost, deciding that it wasn’t worth it to give up his riches and possessions to follow Jesus. Even though it made him sad and grieved his heart, he chose to lose treasure in heaven rather than his treasure on earth. He had all the outward appearance of wanting to do what was necessary for eternal life, but inwardly his heart was full of covetousness and greed which he wasn’t willing to give up. He loved his riches and possessions too much. What do you love more than eternal life?
Seeing this, Jesus looked on the crowd around Him and said, “How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into 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 into the kingdom of God.” Not only riches, but trust placed in anything or anyone other than Christ Jesus and His atoning blood shed on Calvary’s cross for our sins will make it IMPOSSIBLE to have eternal life! “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)).
Zacchaeus, Chief Tax Collector (Luke 19:2-102And, behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. 6And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:2‑10))
Zacchaeus was the chief tax collector, and he was rich. One day, he heard that Jesus was to pass by where he was, so he was determined to see Him. Because a large crowd was following Jesus and because Zacchaeus was a little man, Zacchaeus raced in front of the crowd and climbed into a sycamore tree so that he could see Jesus when he passed by. Imagine his surprise when Jesus passed under the tree and looked directly up at him!
Equally surprising was that Jesus knew his name and spoke directly to him. “Zacchaeus!” he called. “Hurry, and come down! For today I must come to your house.” We are told that Zacchaeus quickly came down out of the tree and joyfully received Jesus.
But when the crowd saw this, they spoke against Jesus, because they said that Jesus was going to be the guest of a sinner. This was because Zacchaeus worked for the Romans, who ruled the Jews at that time, so they considered these tax collectors to be traitors. But Zacchaeus, like the rich young ruler, was willing to justify himself. He told the Lord that he gave half of his goods to the poor, and if he had taken anything by false accusation, he restored it fourfold! But Jesus paid no attention to his good works. Instead, he had a wonderful message for Zacchaeus: “This day is salvation come to this house ... for the Son of Man [Jesus] is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The rich young ruler and Zacchaeus both exerted energy to see Jesus. Both thought that good works would merit salvation. BUT their hearts were different! The rich young ruler rejected following Jesus and His message of salvation. Zacchaeus not only joyfully received the Lord into his home, but also believed on Him in his heart. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)). “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9)).