Firm FoundationsFirm FoundationsLesson 45:Lesson 45:

The foolishness of trusting in richesThe foolishness of trusting in riches

Memory verse: Matthew 16:26Memory verse: Matthew 16:26

IntroductionIntroduction

Do you have any Do you have any problems?problems?

Would a million dollars Would a million dollars take care of your take care of your problems?problems?

Money sometimes seems Money sometimes seems like the answer, but let’s like the answer, but let’s look at God’s perspectivelook at God’s perspective

Foolishness of living only Foolishness of living only for things of this lifefor things of this life

Luke 12:15Luke 12:15 Many people want Many people want

thingsthings Many are jealous of Many are jealous of

what others havewhat others have Jesus told a parable Jesus told a parable

about thisabout this Luke 12:16-19Luke 12:16-19

Farmer thought he had Farmer thought he had all he neededall he needed

Didn’t consider that Didn’t consider that God gives/takes lifeGod gives/takes life

Luke 12:20Luke 12:20 Farmer didn’t consider Farmer didn’t consider

God’s plans for himGod’s plans for him When God decides it’s time When God decides it’s time

for someone to die, he for someone to die, he dies.dies.

Luke 12:21Luke 12:21 God’s treasure is better God’s treasure is better

than the world’s richesthan the world’s riches Warning: use your time and Warning: use your time and

energy for God, not richesenergy for God, not riches

Foolishness of living only Foolishness of living only for things of this life (cont.)for things of this life (cont.)

The rich man and LazarusThe rich man and Lazarus

Luke 16:19-21Luke 16:19-21 Who was better off? Who was better off?

The rich man, or The rich man, or Lazarus?Lazarus?

Luke 16:22Luke 16:22 What was “Abraham’s What was “Abraham’s

bosom”?bosom”? Were the man’s Were the man’s

riches of any use to riches of any use to him after he died?him after he died?

When someone dies, When someone dies, they go to one of 2 they go to one of 2 placesplaces With GodWith God Fire and punishment Fire and punishment

for your sinfor your sin

The rich man’s cry for The rich man’s cry for helphelp

Luke 16:23Luke 16:23 Rich man was in hell!Rich man was in hell! Even now, more than Even now, more than

2,000 years later, and 2,000 years later, and for eternity!for eternity!

Luke 16:24Luke 16:24 Great suffering in HellGreat suffering in Hell God hates sin, it must God hates sin, it must

be paid in fullbe paid in full Thinks he can still treat Thinks he can still treat

Lazarus as a servantLazarus as a servant

Abraham’s answerAbraham’s answer Luke 16:25Luke 16:25

Lazarus must have Lazarus must have trusted God; rich man trusted God; rich man trusted richestrusted riches

Circumstances now Circumstances now reversedreversed

Luke 16:26Luke 16:26 Once you die, there is Once you die, there is

no way of escape or no way of escape or changechange

The rich man’s appeal on The rich man’s appeal on behalf of his brothersbehalf of his brothers

Luke 16:27-28Luke 16:27-28 He still remembered He still remembered

this world, though in this world, though in Hell!Hell!

Wanted Lazarus to Wanted Lazarus to go back and warn his go back and warn his familyfamily

Still wants to treat Still wants to treat Lazarus as a servantLazarus as a servant

Abraham’s answerAbraham’s answer

Luke 16:29Luke 16:29 God’s Word God’s Word

was enough to was enough to warn his familywarn his family

It’s enough to It’s enough to warn everyonewarn everyone

The rich man’s argument The rich man’s argument and Abraham’s verdictand Abraham’s verdict

Luke 16:30Luke 16:30 Wanted a miracle Wanted a miracle

to help convince to help convince themthem

Luke 16:31Luke 16:31 Miracles don’t Miracles don’t

create faith in the create faith in the faithlessfaithless

ConclusionConclusion Time stretches endlessly in both directionsTime stretches endlessly in both directions Lazarus and rich man are still in the same places they Lazarus and rich man are still in the same places they

were 2,000 years agowere 2,000 years ago Lazarus: peace with GodLazarus: peace with God Rich man: suffering in HellRich man: suffering in Hell

Their future decided while they still lived on earthTheir future decided while they still lived on earth Where are you on this time line?Where are you on this time line? How long will your life be?How long will your life be? The choices you make will affect your life for The choices you make will affect your life for eternityeternity

Eternitypast

Rich manLazarus

Jesus 2,000 years Today

Your life

Eternityfuture