Luke 16

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. vv.24-25

Read chapter 16
Luke 16 is probably the most ill-interpreted passage in all of scripture and where many make their theological claims from that appear only here and contradict the rest of scripture.  The story of the Rich Man and Lazarus is one where people get their views on what happens when you die but if you really read it you will notice that it is contrary to all of scripture of what happens when one, good or bad, dies.  Let's take a look at a few things:

• we have to realize Jesus is talking to the Pharisees and they have started to get upset with him as they realize he's calling them out (verse 14)
• the story seems to say that if you're rich you'll go to "hell" and if you're poor you'll go to heaven, yet Abraham was one of the richest men in the Bible and in this story he's not in hell; there is nothing to say if either the rich man or the poor man believed in God or what sin led them there
• in Ecclesiattes 9:10 it says there's no activity in sheol (Hebrew for grave), "for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going," yet this passage seems to show activity happening there
• many think that in heaven or hell there aren't bodies but floating souls like ghost all around, but where here then does it mention the finger and tongue?
• Why is the rich man praying to Abraham and not to Jesus?

The list could go on and on of questions and concerns about this passage that just don't match up with the rest of scripture.  What then?  We have to realize that this is not a parable but a satire.  (Satire: the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing,denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc.)  To read more on this passage and chapter to find the truth of what is being taught here and the folly that so many have believed as truth check out Rich Man & Lazarus Part 1 and Rich Man & Lazarus Part 2  So what now for you?  What views do/did you have of what happens when one dies that came from this passage?  Keep studying all of scripture to find truth!