Scripture to Read: Luke 16:27-28
As we know, the rich man had already made a request to Abraham to hopefully receive some relief from his torment and agony. The rich man’s request was denied. Now, we might think that this was a legitimate request at first glance. But what the rich man’s request indeed reveals to us was that even in physical death, the rich man’s heart never changed. The rich man was still focused on himself and not on anything else or no one else. On day 2 of our devotions, we also learned that the rich man never asked to come over to Abraham’s side. Not only was the rich man’s heart still unrepentant, but no doubt, he knew that his fate had been sealed. Today though, we read how the rich man pleaded with Abraham to send Lazarus back to his father’s house to warn the rich man’s five brothers. We can gather from this that the rich man knew that his five brothers were still lost in their sin. Because the rich man knew that his brothers were lost, he also knew that his brothers’ final destination would be the same place of torment for each one of them. As we think about the rich man’s request, this is the first time we see any compassion from the rich man. Of course, it may not have been compassion as much as it was fear, but either way, the rich man did not want his five brothers to suffer the same fate as he would suffer for all eternity.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about your compassion for others and the fate of their eternity?
2. Knowing Christ is the only one who can save people from their sin and the fate of an eternal punishment, who will you share Him with today?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!