Chapter 21—“A Great Gulf Fixed”
This chapter is based on
Luke 16:19-31
.
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Christ shows that in
this life men decide their eternal destiny. During probationary time
the grace of God is offered to every soul. But if men waste their
opportunities in self-pleasing, they cut themselves off from everlasting
life. No afterprobation will be granted them. By their own choice they
have fixed an impassable gulf between them and their God.
This parable draws a contrast between the rich who have not made
God their dependence, and the poor who have made God their de-
pendence. Christ shows that the time is coming when the position of
the two classes will be reversed. Those who are poor in this world’s
goods, yet who trust in God and are patient in suffering, will one day
be exalted above those who now hold the highest positions the world
can give but who have not surrendered their life to God.
“There was a certain rich man,” Christ said, “which was clothed
in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there
was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full
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of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the
rich man’s table.”
The rich man did not belong to the class represented by the unjust
judge, who openly declared his disregard for God and man. He claimed
to be a son of Abraham. He did not treat the beggar with violence or
require him to go away because the sight of him was disagreeable.
If the poor, loathsome specimen of humanity could be comforted by
beholding him as he entered his gates, the rich man was willing that
he should remain. But he was selfishly indifferent to the needs of his
suffering brother.
There were then no hospitals in which the sick might be cared
for. The suffering and needy were brought to the notice of those to
whom the Lord had entrusted wealth, that they might receive help and
sympathy. Thus it was with the beggar and the rich man. Lazarus was
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