September 13, 2016

HEAVEN OR HELL? YOU MAKE THE CHOICE, BUT DO NOT DELAY.

Luke 16:19–31

Linda Potts
Tuesday's Devo

September 13, 2016

Tuesday's Devo

September 13, 2016

Central Truth

The great chasm describes the finality of eternity. Life on earth is full of choices, but once you die, there are no more choices to make. Your destiny is fixed, and you cannot change anything. We are not promised another minute of life, so do not delay your choice.

Key Verse | Luke 16:26

"'And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'" (Luke 16:26)

Luke 16:19–31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. 1 16:22 Greek bosom; also verse 23 The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Footnotes

[1] 16:22 Greek bosom; also verse 23

Dive Deeper | Luke 16:19–31

In this parable, the rich man did not go to hell because he was rich but because he completely ignored God and man. God did not send the rich man to Hades, the rich man chose it by not choosing to have a relationship with Christ.  

Like the rich man, many of us have accumulated wealth. In the midst of our great comfort, it can be easy to become complacent and forget our desperate need for Christ and His purpose for our lives. God does not give us skills and talents to create wealth for our own comfort, but He blesses us to bless others. We should be careful not to get caught up in the way of the world by building our own kingdoms of comfort and dismiss or completely overlook the poor and needy living all around us. 

This parable should prompt us to check our hearts. Are we investing in ourselves and storing up treasures here on earth? Or, are we investing in the kingdom of God and storing up treasures in heaven?

Mark 8:36 says, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?"

Todd Wagner has said, “There is an eternal difference between those who are saved and those who are not.” Eternity is defined as a state that comes after death and never ends. The rich man chose his own eternity, and, after learning of the great chasm, he began to beg Abraham to send someone to warn his family so that they would not also go to Hades. Consider this a warning, and I beg you to choose your eternity now while you still have time. Trust in Jesus, the One who can cleanse you of all unrighteousness.

I spent many years living for self and building my own kingdom. Serving God and investing in His kingdom were pushed to the back burner for a later time. God has stirred in my heart that the time is NOW to be more intentional to tell others about Jesus and to serve the Lord more than myself.      

Discussion Questions

1. Have you chosen your eternity? If not, what are you waiting for?

2. Do you spend more of your time, money, and resources on yourself or on serving and investing in God’s kingdom?

3. If you looked at your checkbook and your calendar for the last 12 months, what would they tell you about what you value and are investing in? Yourself or God's kingdom?

4. What is God calling you to change in order to serve His kingdom now?