⏱ 16 min read

• Today we share with you the true story of Richie Rich and Mise Lazi; quite a popular one too.
• Among the many valuable lessons embedded in it, this story is a warning to aspiring billionaires (like you and me). Ready?? Let’s dig in...

“There was a rich man (Richie Rich) who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus (Miserable Lazi), covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ~ Luke 16:19-22

• The first thing I’d like you to note is that this story Jesus told is not a parable.
• Why do I believe so? Because Jesus shared many parables but not in any of those parables did He mention names; not one of them:
• “There were 10 virgins…; a farmer went out to sow…; there was a certain man who had two sons…; a woman had 10 silver coins…; etc.” No names in any of them.

But in this story, Jesus mentions two names: Lazarus and later Abraham. These are real people. And this helps us know that this is a true occurrence; it actually happened.
So Jesus is recounting to us perhaps the most reliable account of life after death.

#1: Poor Mise Lazi died before Richie Rich

• Now this is simply a pattern here on earth: the poor usually die before the rich.
• In other words, there are many more things that can kill the poor person but the rich will survive them and live longer.
• However, Richie Rich who lived longer went to hell; while Mise Lazi, who lived shortly on earth, went to Heaven. So living long does not indicate or guarantee a good place when we die.

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried."

#2: There is, at least, one rich man in hell: Richie Rich

• This implies there could be several other rich men in hell. As such, this story serves as a warning to all rich people and to all of us who want to be billionaires someday.
• Do you want to be a billionaire?? (I surely do). 
• Well, do not despair. We have another rich man (Abraham) who is in Heaven; so there’s hope for us but this is also a big warning to us all.

#3: There was a red carpet reception for both Mise Lazi & Richie Rich in Eternity

• When Mise Lazi died, he was carried by angels to Abraham’s side.
• This means that upon the death of a saint or a believer, there is a heavenly escort and a welcome reception in Heaven for them.
• The angels escort the dead in Christ to eternal rest and the believer is met with a ‘red-carpet’ welcome reception in heaven.

“Now it happened that the poor man died and his spirit was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom (paradise). ~ Luke 16:22-23

• Note that Richie Rich also died and was buried. I am quite sure he also had his kind of ‘red-carpet’ welcome reception over there.
• Now Jesus didn’t mention it in the story but Isaiah 14:9 says, “Hell from beneath is excited about you, To meet you at your coming…(NKJV).” 
• So may I suggest to you that hell is excited about a new soul to torment; excited and waiting for that soul to walk down their ‘red carpet.’

So then there are two excited red–carpet receptions awaiting us, we can only choose one. I pray that we’ll find ourselves on heaven’s ‘red-carpet,’ escorted by angels into paradies when we exit this earth.

#4: Richie Rich looked up, saw and recognized Mise Lazi in Abraham’s bosom.

This helps us to understand that our identities or lives will be continued in eternity. What do I mean? Simply: We will be able to recognise one another in eternity. You will recognise anyone you knew here on earth and even those you didn’t know (He recognized both Lazarus and Abraham).

• And I bet (just my thought), that Lazi also looked down, saw him and perhaps said while waving, “Oh hey Mr Richie Rich, I see you. How far sir?” 
• Or perhaps like the penguins of Madagascar, it was just smile and wave (Note that there is no sorrow in heaven, just joy; so it is not farfetched that Lazi would be smiling).
• And just us we don’t want to be recognised with embarrassing and lowly moments here on earth, I pray we make the choice and find ourselves on the heavenly side of eternity.

#5: An inward man lives on into eternity

It is very important to note that this story brings alive the reality of an inner, inward or hidden man. There is a man/woman inside the physical body we inhabit; that’s the spirit and soul of the person.

• 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the INWARD man is being renewed day by day.”
• It is this hidden inward man who lives on when the body dies. 
• Now the story shows us the spirit of a man is not some suspending breeze of wind that can be blown away (as some think and see in movies).

The spirit of a man is actually a man. What do I mean by this? When Richie Rich died and was in torment, he asked Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger into water and cool his tongue. 

• A finger is attached to a hand which is attached to a body; and a tongue is attached to a mouth which is in a head, isn’t it? 
• This shows us that our spirits are actually inner, inward men. We are not wafts of air; you are a man/woman living inside a bodily man/woman.

#6: “Can I get a drop of water?” ~ Richie Rich

There is a place called Hell, where the worms do not die and the fire is not quenched (Mark 9:48). And in this place, people seek A DROP OF WATER to alleviate their indescribable constant suffering.

• Dear friend, the torment of the rich guy must be understood to be an agony beyond human comprehension!
• I understand that there are many experiencing suffering on earth but this description seems to beat them all. Have you ever had someone ask for A DROP of water?
• I have never met nor heard of any thirsty person who asked for just a drop of water. People either ask for a glass or a sachet or a bottle of water.

So for this top billionaire to request a drop, shows us the terrible suffering there. But remember that hell was not originally created for men, and no man has to end up there (unless he chooses to).

#7: We will have our memories in eternity

The ability to remember our lives on earth is something that will add to the experience of Heaven or Hell. We are going to remember (so well) how we lived on earth.

• You will remember all the chances for salvation, you’ll remember this message, you’ll remember the life you lived here. 
• And our memories will add to the enjoyment or the suffering depending on where we end up.
• I certainly pray we all end up in Heaven, to enjoy the best of God and escape the terrors of Hell.

When we repent from our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy abound to help us. May grace and peace abound to you today.

#8: No matter how rich and luxurious our lives on Earth can be, we can be thrown into hell.

• Now I’ll admit that this is a frightening thought, especially for those who have only known luxury and wealth here on earth.
• From this true story, Richie Rich had a luxurious lifestyle: “clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day.” Despite all this, Richie Rich went to hell.

Have you heard or watched some trials of celebrities and multimillionaires? I remember that of comedian Bill Cosby.
He was known as the ‘American Dad’ and his TV show and comedy series (eg. Fat Albert) were top-grossing. 
In his heydays, he was the highest-paid entertainer in America.

So this guy was a multimillionaire, yet because of strong accusations that he broke the law, he was in danger of being thrown into prison with dangerous criminals!

Now if human beings can do this to rich men on earth, then understand that Almighty God can and will throw all sinners, including the rich, who do not repent into a hell originally meant for Satan and his cohorts (Matt 25:41).

#9: God loves the poor, miserable and despised people even if we don’t

• Mise Lazi suffered greatly and had dogs dressing his wounds daily. He was a sore sight!
• Imagine someone with huge sores or ulcers on his body, with blood and pus coming out of the sores and dogs licking them up.
• Such a horrible state, yet when he died, he found his place in Abraham’s bosom in Heaven!

This just shows us how God loves the poor, miserable and humble people even if we don’t. The people we despise and look down upon, God loves them!
(Think of anyone you despise right now; anyone that comes to mind, and say, “God loves____“). Unlike most of us Christians who would shun these people, Jesus loved them and died for them.

• It is not surprising that Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me and He has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor!”
• It is again not surprising that even in our day, the Gospel is still more receptive to the poor.
• I pray that you and I will be receptive to the Gospel no matter our status in life. Always be poor in spirit!

#10: There are no transits on Airline Eternity

• In my view, one of the saddest facts that Jesus wanted us to know was that no one would be able to change their location once they end up in Hell. 
• Jesus spoke of a great chasm, imagine a much bigger version of the image below, that separated Heaven and Hell making it impossible for transfers or visits or weekend getaways.
• So I’m sorry, but there are no transits on Airline Eternity. Where you “land” is where you will stay forever!

And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’

#11: The greatest concern of Richie Rich

One amazing fact I find in this story is that Richie Rich was very concerned about his lost relatives not coming to that place; he was begging and pleading for their lives.

• It seems that when a man descends into Hell, he has no other concern than that others should not join him there.
• Unfortunately, many of us Christians do not show any concern for the lost. We seem to be saying, “People are headed down eternity? Well… their bad. I don’t care.”
• The few who make an effort like Richie Rich did, seem to preach and teach prosperity, success, happy family lives, etc., and not salvation or eternity.

Don’t get me wrong, these are not evil things to talk about but Richie Rich in hell didn’t seem to want his lost family to have any of these things. He just didn’t want them to come to Hell; that’s all!

• He seems to be saying, “I don’t care if you’re successful or not, wealthy or not, have a happy family or not, in all you do on earth, just don’t end up in Hell! That’s all I care about!”
• Why do we not have the same passion for the lost as this rich unbeliever had when he went to Hell? 
• Why do we shrug our shoulders and have no care where our friends and family end up?

Dear Christian, we want to challenge you to believe in the reality of Heaven and Hell, as Jesus shared. Imagine it and let it be real to you.

• I want to challenge us all to preach or share about it as though you have seen it (some of you may have actually had dreams/visions of heaven and hell)
• I want to challenge us all to stop shrugging our shoulders in nonchalance, and being silent on this important topic!
• People need the Good News of God’s salvation! Our friends and loved ones will perish if we do not do anything or say anything.

Random thought:
Perhaps then if some rich people would have the experience of going to Hell and back, they would spearhead and finance evangelism with all their strength and wealth! (Prayer topic idea? Hehehe mercy!)

#12: No drama but the foolishness of the Gospel

• As humans, we are excited by dramatic experiences and happenings. We love to create some drama, or watch some drama unfold, or be at the centre of drama.
• [Example: check the captions of people sharing their graduation photos on social media]
• Richie Rich exposes one of the common mistakes of unsaved people: they want some dramatic experience to challenge them into repentance!

Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ 
And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 
But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ ”

• Most people are looking for some dramatic experiences: seeing a vision of heaven and hell, having an angel visit them;
• God speaking out of a thunderstorm about eternity; a strange handwriting on the wall; an accurate and detailed prophecy, etc., to challenge them to give their life to Christ.
• Richie Rich insisted that Lazarus has to rise from the dead and go speak to his brothers.

• However Father Abraham knew better; if the brothers didn’t listen to the preachers, they would be the first to ridicule any stories about someone rising from the dead.
• They would accuse people of being dimwitted, ignorant, stupid and unintelligent.
• They would accuse Christians of being brainless for believing in something as farfetched as people rising from the dead.

This leads to the last lesson, but certainly not the least: God has chosen that people should be saved by preaching!
“For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior].” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:21 AMP

• This is how God has chosen that the lost will be saved; by the foolishness of preaching the message of God’s salvation:
• That Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures… (1 Cor 15:3-4)

• Dear Christian, are we going to wait for dramatic experiences or are we going out there to preach the Gospel of salvation?
• May grace teach us to understand the need at hand and give us the boldness to act! Heyy… you’re blessed!

---

• If you have not received Jesus into your life or you’re not born again, today is your day of salvation!
• You can get your ticket into heaven by simply believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus came to die for your sins. Pray with me: 

“Heavenly Father, today I ask Jesus into my life. I believe that you sent Jesus to die for me on the cross of Calvary, to save me from my sins and give me a place in eternity. I confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of my life. Please give me your Holy Spirit to guide me in this new life and help me Lord, to live for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

Congratulations!! Heaven rejoices because of you and you’ve bought your ticket into eternal life! You’re very special to us; so please click here to reach out to us. We’re excited to interact with you and get you some resources to help you in this new life with Jesus.