Narrate the parable of the rich man and Lazarus and indicate two lessons that could be learnt from it.

Answer Details

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

Jesus told of a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and feasted sumptuously every day. At his gate lay a poor beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who longed to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs came and licked his sores. The rich man ignored him entirely.

In time both men died. Lazarus was carried by the angels to Abraham's bosom (a place of comfort), while the rich man was buried and found himself in Hades, in torment. Lifting up his eyes, he saw Abraham far off and Lazarus beside him. He cried, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame."

Abraham replied, "Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented." He added that a great gulf was fixed between them so that no one could cross from one side to the other. The rich man then begged that Lazarus be sent to warn his five brothers so that they would not come to the same place of torment. Abraham answered, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." The rich man insisted that if one went to them from the dead they would repent, but Abraham concluded, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead."

Two lessons from the parable

1. We must show compassion to the poor and needy: selfish neglect of the suffering, like the rich man's, brings judgement, while God notices and rewards the humble sufferer.
2. There is life after death with rewards and punishment, and our destiny is fixed: we should therefore heed God's word (Moses and the prophets, the Scriptures) and repent now, for there is no second chance after death.