# Day 274

# Lazarus and the Rich Man

Luke 16:19–31

Jesus told another story:

“A rich man had fine clothes and excellent food. Another man, Lazarus, was covered with sores and begged for scraps in the street. Dogs licked his sores.

“Lazarus died. Angels carried him to Abraham.

“The rich man died and was in torment. Far away, he saw Abraham with Lazarus at his side. He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy. Send Lazarus with a drop of water to cool my tongue. I’m in agony in these flames.’

“ ‘Child,’ answered Abraham, ‘remember, in life you had good things. Lazarus had evil. Now he’s comfortable and you’re suffering. No one can come back.’

“ ‘Father,’ said the rich man, ‘Send Lazarus to warn my brothers. Then they won’t have to suffer like me.’

“ ‘They should listen to the words of Moses and the prophets.’

“ ‘No, Father Abraham. If someone comes from the dead, then they’ll listen.’

“ ‘They don’t listen to Moses. If someone comes back from death, they won’t listen to him, either.’ ”

Questions: Why wouldn’t Abraham send Lazarus to the rich man’s brothers? Why wouldn’t the rich man’s brothers listen to Lazarus?