Too Late
The rich man also died, and was buried. And 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.
Luke 16:23,24
Read 1 John 2:15-17
The rich man also died. His riches could not prevent this. He had been
wealthy up to the day of his death. Many people had envied him because he
could enjoy whatever his eyes saw and his heart desired. This would suit
us too, wouldn’t it? Riches in themselves are not sinful, but without God in
our life, everything is wrong. But whoever has the Lord as his inheritance,
regardless of his state on earth, is unspeakably rich.
Do you ever think of this? The devil seeks to direct your attention upon
the fun and luxuries of this world rather than on what is to be received
through Christ. Do not slight the power of Satan. He knows your weaknesses
and will use them to his advantage! The Lord’s words in Matthew
6:33 are not superfluous words: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and
His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Is that not true? Just look at the rich man’s end. He died and was probably
buried with much pomp and splendor, but in hell he lifted up his eyes, being
in torments. From there, according to Jesus’ parable, he saw Lazarus in
Abraham’s bosom. In reality, heaven cannot be seen from hell. But the rich
man ended up in hell while the formerly poor beggar was in heaven. Just
listen to what the rich man said: Father Abraham, send Lazarus, that he may
dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in
this flame.
Thought: Those who know the Lord possess everything!
Psalter 438: 1 (based on Psalm 19)
The fear of God is clean, A fountain of serene
And everlasting bliss;
The judgments of the Lord, Which purest light afford,
Are truth and righteousness.
More to be sought are they Than gold and silver, yea,
More precious far than money;
In sweetness they excel The sweetness that wells
From honeycomb and honey.
