And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:23
This story, told by Jesus, illustrates the importance of having an eternal mindset. I would say the majority of us spend more time focusing on the day than we do focusing on the goal of eternity with Christ. Like the evil servant, we say in our hearts “My master is delaying His coming, I have plenty of time”, though most of us may not imitate his behavior because of it. The idea still stands, are you preparing for tomorrow or are you preparing for eternal life?
Lazarus, the poor man in the story, lived a miserable existence while on earth. He laid at the gates of the rich man covered in sores, hoping to receive charity from him and receiving none. The rich man, in contrast, lived luxuriously and was clothed in the finest linens. He gave no thought to death, and only lived for self and pleasure. A life lived in the greatest luxury on earth is foolish if we give no thought to Christ, but life lived in the most miserable conditions on earth with a heart for Christ is a blessed one. The world will tell you otherwise, but the world looks no further than death.
The great lesson of this story is that everything we do here and now has eternal consequence. You reap what you sow, a seed sown multiplies for the sower. ‘For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life’ (Gal. 6:8). The rich man sowed to the flesh and reaped his just reward. Lazarus, though lowly and miserable in life, reaped of the Spirit and was given eternal life. Take a moment to pray and examine your life, consider where you have been sowing. Those who live righteously now will reap an eternity of glory that cannot be fathomed this side of heaven, but those who sow to the flesh will reap everlasting torment. Today there is still time to examine yourself, to repent, to seek God while He may be found.
But Abraham said, ‘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.’
Luke 16:25
#CalledtoBattle
