photo #8593006

"REJECTING HEAVEN LEADS TO REGRETING IN HELL" "There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:" (Luke 16:19) Whenever we read about someone in the Scriptures that the Bible calls rich, we'll find for the most part that they came into their fortune either by hook or crook. I've usually found that rich folks are often mean and stingy people, unless of course, God has gotten a hold of their hearts and prospered them in a mighty way.Now this rich fella was a pro on "living it up." Every day was funday as far as he was concerned. He could care less about those who were down and out. That's evident by the fact when we read about ole Lazarus who would count it a big day when he could crawl around and find some table scraps while begging at this rich man's gate.Oh, but the wealthy man's days, his days were spent wearing the finest garb that money could buy. And cost, why cost meant nothing to him. He was a guy that could laugh at a price tag and snicker at installment payments. I can almost see him riding around the countryside on the best camels that were available.But the day of wine and roses finally came to an end, and the piper had to be paid; for we read that he died. Lazarus we also find died as well. Never forget one great truth taught here. Both the rich and the poor alike have a date with death (Hebrews 9:27).Verse 23 of this chapter gives us some of the saddest words in the Bible, "And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments," Years ago, 2 guys, with some Watchtower pamphlets in tow, told me that Hell in that verse meant the grave. I said, "Alrighty then, for your sake, let's put grave there in that verse instead of Hell. (I don't like doing that, but I knew what I was up against) They were all smiles until I read it like this, "And in the GRAVE he lift up his eyes, being in torments........" That's torment in your GRAVE as well when you reject Jesus Christ's offer for salvation. Bodda Bing Bodda Boom, they weren't smiling now. As a matter of fact, they whirled around and left. Can you imagine that?Well, it was a sad ending indeed for that rich man in what could have been a life used for the glory of God. Make no mistake about it, the rich man wasn't in Hell because he had plenty of cash. No No, he was in Hell because he was poor without Christ.In Hell, the rich man, with eternity ahead of him, we hear him reflect concerning his neglect in Luke 16:27-30:"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will REPENT." (caps mine) Make no mistake about it, that rich fella knew now in eternity what he should have known while on Earth, Repent!Friends, what is it today that separates you from giving all you know about yourself to all you know about Christ? I pray that it is not something so unimportant and worthless as money that promises no gain. Never swap redemption for riches!