What Happens Next?

A picture of what comes next...

Experts estimate that if a normal cassette tape is played about 100 times a year, sound quality will deteriorate somewhat after about 10 years. But the tape itself will play on.

A lightening bolt lasts 45 to 55 microseconds.

The average running shoe worn by the average runner on an average surface will last 350 to 500 miles.

A hard pencil can write up to 30,000 words or draw a line more than 30 miles long. Most ball-point pens will draw a line 4,000 to 7,500 feet long.

Leather combat boots have a wartime life-span of six months, a peacetime life-span of eight months. (The army walks during war and peace.)

The projected life-span of a baby born in the U.S. today is about 71 years, nearly double what it was at the end of the 18th century. Studies show married people live longer than those who remain single.

A group of subatomic particles known as unstable hadrons exists for only one one-hundred-sextillionth of a second (10 to the negative 23 second)—less time than it takes light to travel a single inch.

A 100-watt incandescent bulb will last about 750 hours; a 25-watt bulb, 2,500 hours. The number of times a light bulb is turned on and off has little to do with its life-span.

A one-dollar bill lasts approximately 18 months in circulation.

Practice footballs used by professionals last two to three days—a playing life of perhaps five hours. Home teams are required to provide 24 new balls each game and these last only about six minutes of playing time.

Our parable today talks about what comes after we are “used up.”

Luke 16 gives us the story of the rich man and Lazarus.

This is the only place where this is found in the Scripture. Luke gives special place for the marginalized: women, sinners, poor, etc.

Luke was a doctor and wrote his gospel for Greeks. It is a mission letter.

This is the clearest picture of the afterlife that we have.

I’m often asked what comes next?

Let’s first notice some things about the rich man.

He is unnamed;

He wore purple and linen. These are two separate garments. Purple was the outer and the linen was the inner garment.

He lived to have a good time.

Now let’s notice some things about Lazarus.

He is named. In fact, he’s the only man named in the parables.

He is laid at the rich man’s gate.

He is covered with sores;

He is hungry. He is longing for the crumbs which is gross.

Dogs are licking his sores; which means he is crippled and unable to do anything for himself.

Now notice what happens after they die.

Rich man dies and goes to Hades (hell);

He is able to see those in heaven (Abraham and Lazarus)

He is in torment;

He has a conversation with Abraham;

He is still treating Lazarus as a servant, wanting him to do things for him.

Lazarus is at Abraham’s bosom, which means he’s an honored guest at a banquet. He’s a guest of honor.

The Rich Man went from good things to agony;

Lazarus went from agony to good things.

There’s a great chasm that cannot be crossed.

He is concerned for his loved ones.

What is the solution?

Repentance and faith.

Faith that affects how one lives.

Listen to Moses and the Prophets. This represents the whole Bible in the Old Testament. Jesus said: “Thy word is truth.”

Parables are stories designed to teach those that wanted to hear and understand. To those that did not, it went right over their heads.

More blessed to give...

Marquis de Lafayette was a French officer who provided invaluable assistance to George Washington and the struggling American army. After the war was over, he returned to France and resumed his life as a farmer of many estates. In 1783, the harvest was a terrible one, and there were many who suffered as a result. Lafayette’s farms were unaffected by the devastating crop failures. One of his workers offered what seemed to be good advice to Lafayette, “The bad harvest has raised the price of wheat. This is the time to sell.” After thinking about the hungry peasants in the surrounding villages, Lafayette disagreed and said, “No, this is the time to give.”

God blesses us not just for our own benefit, but also so that we can be a blessing to others in need. The tendency to hoard and try to build up more and more is a dangerous one, and the best antidote to greed is to be a generous giver. There is certainly no shortage of people in need today, and while we cannot meet every need, if we do what we can, God will multiply resources so that it is enough.