The Choices We Make

History and where it all comes from.

“Welcome to a Brand New Unused Sunday Morning.” Today, we’re going to dive into a parable that’s tough but necessary—a story that Jesus told to get us thinking about our lives, our choices, and ultimately, our eternal destiny. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 is more than just a story about wealth and poverty; it’s a call to assess the foundations we’re building our lives on. Are we putting our trust in earthly comforts and status, or are we allowing God’s Word to guide our actions and shape our hearts?

Let’s look at the scene Jesus paints for us.

At the time Jesus told the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, He was teaching in Judea and often addressing the religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees. This was a period of tension, as Jesus’ message directly challenged the religious status quo. The Pharisees emphasized outward religious observance, often associating wealth with divine favor, while neglecting the compassion and justice that God’s law commanded. Jesus used this parable as a critique of these attitudes, calling His audience to a faith marked by love, mercy, and care for others.

The parable is also a profound reminder of the dangers of ignoring God’s Word. The rich man had access to the teachings of Moses and the Prophets, which clearly called for mercy and justice, yet he lived a life of indifference. Through this story, Jesus warns that true faith is shown in action, particularly in how we treat the vulnerable. By ignoring these teachings, the rich man faced eternal consequences, and Jesus called His listeners to examine their own lives and repent, placing compassion and obedience above wealth and status.

Introduction: The Rich Man and Lazarus

There are two central characters in this parable. First, there’s the rich man, who lives every day in splendor, wearing fine clothes, feasting on the best food, and enjoying the high life. Then there’s Lazarus, a poor man lying at the rich man’s gate, covered in sores and longing for the crumbs from the rich man’s table. Their lives are completely different—one is surrounded by comfort, while the other is engulfed in suffering. Yet, when they die, their roles are reversed. Lazarus is carried by angels to Abraham’s side, a place of comfort, while the rich man finds himself in torment.

The great chasm between them in the afterlife is a powerful reminder that the choices we make in this life have eternal consequences.

Luke 16:19–31 ““There was a rich man who would dress in purple and fine linen, feasting lavishly every day. But a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, was left at his gate. He longed to be filled with what fell from the rich man’s table, but instead the dogs would come and lick his sores. One day the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off, with Lazarus at his side. ‘Father Abraham!’ he called out, ‘Have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this flame!’ “ ‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there…”

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts, ready to hear Your Word and be changed by it. Thank You for the gift of this time together, for the opportunity to gather in Your presence, and to learn from the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings. Lord, as we dive into the story of the rich man and Lazarus, give us eyes to see and hearts to understand the truths You want to reveal to us.

Help us, Father, to listen deeply, not just with our ears but with our spirits. Show us the areas in our lives where we may need to grow in compassion, humility, and obedience. May Your Word take root in our hearts today, guiding us to live in a way that reflects Your love and grace to everyone around us.

We ask that Your Spirit move among us now, challenging us, encouraging us, and transforming us. May everything we learn today bring us closer to You and align our hearts with Yours. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

1. Eternal Consequences of Earthly Actions

Explanation:

In this parable, Jesus presents a strong message about the eternal consequences of our choices in this life. The rich man lived in luxury, enjoying every comfort he desired, while Lazarus, a poor man, lay outside his gate, suffering and hungry. Yet, the rich man ignored Lazarus day after day, seeing him as a fixture rather than a fellow human being in need. When they both die, their fates are reversed: Lazarus is welcomed into the presence of Abraham, while the rich man finds himself in torment. Jesus uses this reversal to emphasize that God’s priorities differ vastly from the world’s. Earthly wealth, status, or success do not guarantee eternal security. Jesus wants His listeners to understand that focusing only on temporary pleasures or self-centered goals will ultimately lead to spiritual ruin.

Application:

Jesus challenges us to examine our own lives: Are we investing only in temporary comforts and material gain, or are we living with eternity in mind? The world often promotes the pursuit of wealth, success, and pleasure as life’s ultimate goals, but Jesus points to a different foundation—one rooted in obedience, compassion, and love for others. Think of our lives as a house we’re building; if we build on the foundation of self-centeredness, wealth, or comfort, that foundation won’t last through the storms of life. But if we build on the foundation of God’s Word, prioritizing what matters to Him, we create a life that withstands trials and holds value beyond this world. Each decision we make today can either move us closer to or farther from the eternal life God offers.

Illustration:

Imagine a man who spends years building a beautiful house but chooses to build it on sand, ignoring warnings that it won’t hold up. When a storm inevitably hits, the house collapses, leaving behind only rubble. All his efforts, time, and resources are lost because he built on a weak foundation. In the same way, if we build our lives focused only on our own desires, success, and comfort, we’re building on sand. Jesus calls us to shift our focus from temporary gains to eternal values, building on the solid foundation of His Word and love. Are we living in a way that reflects God’s priorities, or are we building on sand, hoping it will somehow hold?

“The way you store up treasure in heaven is by investing in getting people there.” — Rick Warren

2. The Call to Compassion

Explanation:

A key message in this parable is the importance of compassion. Every day, Lazarus lay at the rich man’s gate, visibly suffering and hungry, yet the rich man turned a blind eye. This wasn’t a matter of ignorance; the rich man knew Lazarus was there. Jesus illustrates the danger of a closed heart, one that fails to see others with compassion and kindness. The rich man’s wealth blinded him to the suffering around him, leading to a life that lacked true empathy and connection. Jesus uses this story to call His listeners to a different way of life—a life that actively seeks to help those in need and embraces compassion as a core value.

“You can’t handle the truth!” — A Few Good Men This quote can serve as a reflection on the challenge of truly hearing and obeying God’s Word. Sometimes, people avoid the truth of Scripture because it demands change.

Application:

True compassion requires more than just noticing others; it calls us to take action. Jesus challenges us to move from passive awareness of suffering to active response. Are there people in our lives we may have grown accustomed to overlooking? Jesus shows us that ignoring the needs of others not only distances us from them but also distances us from God’s heart. When we see and respond to the needs around us, we participate in God’s work of healing and love. Compassion is more than a feeling—it’s a response to God’s call to love others. As we let God’s love guide us to help those in need, we reflect His compassion and grow closer to Him.

Illustration:

Consider the story of the Good Samaritan, who not only saw a wounded man on the road but crossed over to help him, giving his time, resources, and care to ensure the man’s safety. The Good Samaritan was moved to action, showing mercy when others walked by. In contrast, the rich man in Jesus’ parable did nothing, leaving Lazarus to suffer outside his gate. Jesus calls us to be like the Samaritan, willing to go out of our way to help others. When we embrace a heart of compassion, we align ourselves with God’s values, allowing Him to use us to bring His love to others.

“The gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.” — Carl F.H. Henry

“Love is putting someone else’s needs before yours.” — Frozen Olaf’s simple yet profound definition of love captures the essence of compassion, reminding us to look beyond ourselves, much like the rich man failed to do for Lazarus.

3. Listening to God’s Word

Explanation:

At the end of the parable, we see the rich man pleading with Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, believing that a miraculous appearance would compel them to change. But Abraham’s response is telling: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.” Jesus emphasizes that God’s Word is sufficient for leading us to righteousness. The rich man thought his brothers needed a miraculous sign, but Jesus highlights that God’s message through Scripture is powerful enough to change lives. If we ignore God’s Word, even the most extraordinary miracles won’t convince us. Jesus wants us to understand that His Word is the true foundation we need.

Application:

In today’s world, it’s easy to think, “If only God would give me a sign, then I’d believe,” but Jesus reminds us that God has already spoken through His Word. Scripture is not just a collection of stories or teachings; it’s a guide that leads us to eternal life and reveals God’s heart for us. Ignoring Scripture is like going on a journey without a map—we end up lost and vulnerable. Jesus calls us to take God’s Word seriously, to read it, listen to it, and let it shape our lives. When we let God’s message take root in our hearts, it transforms us from the inside out, giving us a foundation that holds firm in every circumstance.

Illustration:

Imagine someone setting out on a cross-country road trip, convinced they don’t need a map or directions. They believe they’ll “figure it out” as they go, but without a guide, they soon find themselves lost, frustrated, and far off course. God’s Word is like that road map, showing us the way and guiding us through life. Yet, just like that traveler, we often think we’ll be fine without it, assuming we know best. Jesus’ parable shows us that ignoring God’s Word leaves us spiritually lost. Scripture calls us to compassion, faithfulness, and surrender. When we build our lives on God’s Word, we’re laying a solid foundation that withstands life’s storms and points us toward eternity with Him. Let’s commit not only to hearing God’s Word but to letting it guide every part of our lives.

“God’s Word is a compass to show us the way, a mirror to reveal our faults, and a light to guide us.” — Thomas Watson

Conclusion: Living in Light of Eternity

Call to Action:

As we reflect on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, let’s ask ourselves: Are we building a life that matters in God’s eyes? This week, let’s take a deliberate step to put Jesus’ teachings into practice. Here are three ways to make this real:

Identify and Serve a “Lazarus” in Your Life – Think about someone in your community, family, or neighborhood who may be in need, overlooked, or going through a tough time. Reach out with a simple act of kindness—whether that’s offering a meal, lending a listening ear, or just showing up. Make it personal, and let them know they are seen and valued.

Engage with God’s Word Daily – Set aside time each day to read Scripture, focusing on passages that remind us of God’s heart for justice, mercy, and compassion. Reflect on how these verses can shape your actions and decisions. Let the words move beyond the page and into your life, guiding your choices and perspective.

Examine Your Priorities – Take an honest look at your calendar, spending, and commitments. Are you investing in things that have eternal value? Challenge yourself to shift your focus toward actions that reflect God’s love, such as volunteering, giving to those in need, or spending time with those who may feel overlooked.

Let’s go into this week with hearts open to God’s calling, ready to make choices that reflect His love and compassion. As we leave today, may we be intentional in building a life that echoes into eternity, marked by love, service, and obedience to God’s Word.

So, what foundation are you building your life on? Are you focused on accumulating wealth, comfort, and security for yourself, or are you allowing God’s Word to direct your actions and priorities? The parable of the rich man and Lazarus powerfully reminds us to live with an eternal perspective. It calls us to evaluate what truly matters—to prioritize compassion over comfort, to let God’s Word shape our decisions, and to live in a way that reflects His love and mercy in every interaction. Jesus’ story urges us to look beyond the present and ask ourselves whether our lives are built on the solid, lasting foundation of obedience to God.

As we go into this week, let’s take a moment to examine our hearts and our actions. Let’s be people who notice the Lazaruses around us—those who are suffering, overlooked, or in need. May God’s Word become more than words on a page; may it be the instructions for a life of meaning and purpose, guiding us to live with integrity, kindness, and compassion. Let’s remember that our actions today, however small, have eternal implications. Every choice we make is an opportunity to reflect God’s heart to the world, to make a difference, and to build a life that lasts beyond this life.

May we leave here today with a renewed commitment to live out the compassion, obedience, and love that Christ calls us to. May we build our lives on the Rock, the firm foundation that no storm can shake. And as we do, may our lives shine with the qualities that matter most to God—love, compassion, and faithfulness. In every decision, in every interaction, may we keep eternity in view, honoring God with all that we are.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that guides us, challenges us, and leads us into truth. Today, we’ve been reminded of the eternal importance of living a life rooted in Your love and compassion. Help us, Lord, to build our lives on the foundation of Your Word, to prioritize what truly matters, and to love others as You have loved us.

We ask for hearts that see and respond to the needs around us. Give us the courage to step outside our comfort zones and serve others with the compassion and humility that Jesus showed. Forgive us for the times we’ve been focused on ourselves, and help us to live with eyes open to the suffering and struggles of others.

Guide us this week to live with an eternal perspective, honoring You in every decision we make. May our lives reflect Your mercy, Your kindness, and Your love. We ask for the strength to be faithful in obedience and steadfast in love, building on the solid rock of Your truth. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.