A Tale of Two Rich Men

Jesus once told a story about a wealthy man who ignored the needs of another who was poor.
Lazarus, the impoverished, desperately ached to eat the crumbs that fell to his floor.

But he ignored Lazarus in his desperate need, and as it happens eventually they both died.
The rich man went to torment because of his greed, but Lazarus to bliss by Abraham’s side.

Being in great suffering because of his sin, the man who was wealthy in life cried out,
“Father Abraham, have mercy on me, bring cool water to relieve this fiery drought.”

But Abraham said, “Son I cannot, for between us there is an uncrossable chasm.
In life you greedily hoarded what you stored and ignored Lazarus as he languished in spasm.”

Finally, with one more desperate plea, the man asked for his brothers to be warned.
But Abraham replied, if they won’t listen to the prophets, even a message from the dead would be scorned.

In hearing this you might say, “Aha, now I see! So it is the rich who go down to Hell.”
But it’s not so I tell you, for this story tells of a rich man who in paradise does dwell.

Yes, in this tale we in fact hear of two men who were quite wealthy in life.
For, Abraham was rich but he is shown on the side of the chasm that is free of strife.

So it’s neither worldly wealth, or the lack thereof, that decides our eternal fate;
Whether we go to Heaven above or down to languish in Hell’s fiery lake.

Abraham, though not perfect, was justified by faith in the one true God.
But the other rich man despised what the Lord saith and for his sin with suffering was shod.

All who repent and trust Jesus as Lord, whether they be poor or rich,
Will be raised up to life; grace on them is poured; they will not be left in death’s ditch.

Confess your sin and believe in Christ; why should you, for your sin, die?
Our loving God paid our ransom price, and desires to raise us with Him on high.