The Lord had just made that powerful, controversial statement, “No servant can serve two masters; you cannot serve God and mammon” (), were scoffing at Jesus, a phrase that literally translates “they turned up their noses” at Him. They probably thought that it was easy for Jesus to preach against materialism since He didn’t even have a place to lay His head. In response to their sneers, Jesus told a parable, the story of the rich man and Lazarus. It is a parable so striking and solemn that, according to one commentator, “they must be fast asleep who are not startled by it.”

We must remember that parables generally have one truth to teach, one moral of the story. Over-analyzing all of the details and insignificant parts (like is this really a parable or a true story) only succeeds in covering up the heart of the message. Jesus did not give this account as some doctrine on what happens in the afterlife. Nor is He stating a mathematical formula wherein people must be poor, destitute beggars to enter the kingdom of God.

Don’t be distracted from Jesus’ main point. Riches are not all that valuable in the end.

Riches do not change the common lot of every man. Two men are described in stark contrast: the richest of the rich vs. the poorest of the poor. One habitually dressed in expensive clothes, living in luxury; the other was laid at his gate, living on his leftovers. But these two men, who couldn’t have been any more different in life, had one common denominator after all. One was a rich man, the other a poor man, but they were both men.

“The poor man died… and the rich man also died” ().

Riches in this life do not equal rewards in the next life. The rich man, who spared no expense in life, was probably buried with much pomp and ceremony. But soon his soul was in torment, saying, “I am in agony in this flame” (), the most intimate association with the father of the faithful. What better way for Jesus to demonstrate to those lovers of money that riches do not make you rich toward God.

When the rich man pleaded for Lazarus to come cool his tongue with a drop of water, Jesus told him, “Son, remember that during your life you received your good things.” At least, he received what he thought were good things. He accumulated for himself pleasures and possessions, but where was his storehouse of love, service, and mercy? Lazarus, on the other hand, received bad things. Yet, he patiently waited, bearing the trials that came his way, keeping his faith strong and his hope secured, and now enjoyed the pleasures of paradise. Just because you have received your good things does not mean you have received God’s good things -- treasures invested in heaven. You must decide which is more important to you. To be crowned in life or to receive the crown of life?

Riches cannot buy back lost opportunities. The rich man had another request. He wanted Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers “in order that he way warn them, so that they will not come to this place of torment” (). That’s what he should have been doing with his life. But he was so caught up in his wealth that his view of eternity was blurred if not blocked out altogether. With all of his riches, he could not buy back the time he had squandered and wasted in luxurious living for himself.

“Whatever your hands find to do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning in Sheol where you are going” (). The Lord gives no partial credit for those who intended to do something and never got around to it. And those who are blessed with material wealth have all the more responsibility to use what they’ve been given to the glory of God. It’s true that you can’t take it with you when you die. But if you trust what you’ve been entrusted in the souls of men and women, you can send it on ahead.

What is your relationship with the Lord worth to you? Without Him, you can gain this whole world. But with Him, you can inherit a world that never ends.