Right before Jesus told the parable we studied during the weekend message in Luke 16, He rebuked the Pharisees, “who dearly loved money,” saying, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts” (verses 14-15). Soon after, He began telling a parable to illustrate this truth on a deeper level. In our Bible study today, we will take a look at that parable Jesus told next, keeping in mind this rebuke of the Pharisees. As we study this parable Jesus told in John 16, we will be reminded that God cares infinitely more about the state of our hearts over anything else.
Who is someone you know whose heart reflects Christ and His kingdom? What can we learn from them?
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1. Read Luke 16:19-23a. What stands out to you about the differences between the two men in this parable who were close in proximity, but whose lives looked entirely different?
Luke 16:19-23
19Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. 20At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. 21As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. 22“Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, 23and he went to the place of the dead.
2. Where did the rich man in this story go wrong, without even realizing it?
3. Read Luke 16:23b-31. What does this parable reveal about what is required to be made right with God, based on this passage of Scripture?
Luke 16:23b-31
There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. 24“The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ 25“But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ 27“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. 28For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ 29“But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ 30“The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ 31“But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
4. Read Luke 16:14-15. How does remembering that Jesus spoke these words before telling the parable of the rich man and Lazarus impact how you understand this parable and its purpose?
14 The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. 15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.
Application
1. What holds us back from paying attention to the needs around us and doing something about them?
2. How does the warning in this passage of Scripture impact how you will go about your day-to-day life?
3. How does Scripture play a role in pointing us to Christ and our need for Him?
It is clear from our Scripture reading that God looks at the heart, not outward actions or appearances. For the next few minutes, spread out, get alone, and pray. Pray the words found in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” As He searches your heart, be prepared to hear, repent, and obey. After having some time to pray, your group leader will close your time together in prayer.
As we have seen, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees during His earthly ministry because, while they outwardly appeared to be living righteously, God was not honored in the way they lived. For the next few minutes, let’s take a look at three lessons revealed through the parable found in Luke 16 that the Pharisees (and us) needed to hear from this parable: Reject idolatry, care for others, and guard your heart.
The rich man in Jesus’ story was not just rich; he “lived each day in luxury” (verse 19). In other words, money was likely his false god. Many of the Pharisees had fallen under idolatry and worshiped their money instead of the one true God. Jesus’ parable revealed the pitfalls of living this way. You see, for the rich man, all of the belongings he had purchased with his money and the lavish lifestyle he lived did not matter, as he spent eternity in torment, in “the place of the dead” (verse 23). If we want hearts that beat after God, we have to reject idolatry and worship Him alone.
1. Read Exodus 34:14. These words were spoken to the people of Israel,
Exodus 34:14
You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
2. How does what this passage of Scripture teaches about God impact how you think about how He views idolatry?
3. What kind of things do people today idolize?
4. Is there anything in your life that you have been tempted to put before God?
This world preaches looking out for ourselves and our own needs. Left to our own devices, we are prone to that selfishness. The rich man in Jesus’ parable in Luke 16 certainly lived that way. He lived a life that was beyond lavish while Lazarus, right outside of his gates, was desperate simply for scraps from the rich man’s table (verse 21). If the rich man had taken a moment to see Lazarus, he could have changed his life just by providing warm meals. Many of the Pharisees also succumbed to the temptation of selfishness, focusing on their own needs and wants rather than caring for others. Let’s take a look at Scripture’s teaching about paying attention to needs around us and caring for them.
1. Read 1st John 3:17-19.
1st John 3:17-19
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.
2. After reading this passage of Scripture, why is caring for those in need critical for every follower of Christ?
3. What things keep us from noticing the people and needs around us?
4. What is a step you could implement to focus on paying attention and meeting needs around you?
Most people evaluating the rich man in Jesus’ parable in Luke 16 would have thought that he “had it all together” and that his financial situation was the result of God's favor. God saw through to his heart, however, and saw something different: a heart far from Him. The same was true for the Pharisees. Jesus saw through to the hearts of those who were not following after Him. Even today, Christ is seeking hearts that beat after Him. As a result, we need to guard our hearts and take seriously what we focus on and set our hearts on.
1. Read Matthew 12:33-37.
Matthew 12:33-37
“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
2. What is the connection between our words and actions and the state of our hearts? How have you found this to be true in your own life?
3. What does it look like in our world today to guard our hearts?
4. What is one way you like to set your heart and mind on God and His kingdom?
Which of the warnings from Scripture that we looked at today do you want to focus on over the next week: reject idolatry, care for others, or guard your heart? Pick a verse or a group of verses from your Scripture reading above related to that warning to memorize over this next week. Share with your group which warning you want to focus on and why, along with the Scripture you selected to memorize. Let the Scripture you are committing to memory remind you to set your heart on God and His kingdom above everything else.
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