Rich Man Poor Man

Rich man, poor man introduction

Rich man, poor man is a story that Jesus told about two men. One was rich and one was poor. The story highlights the importance of obeying God and doing what is right while we live in the earth.

Jesus knew many of the religious leaders loved money more than they loved God.

He told what happened to these two men, and why it is useless to have riches without God. Riches cannot buy life with God in Heaven.

Read on to learn more.



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The rich man

There was a certain rich man who had beautiful clothes which cost lots of money. He dressed like a king.

The rich man also ate very well. Every meal was like a great feast. He had so much money he could buy anything he wanted to eat for breakfast, lunch, supper - or for in-between snacks.

The poor man was named Lazarus

At the gate of the rich man's house there lay a poor, sick, starving beggar. His name was Lazarus.

Poor Lazarus was full of sores. He may have had a disease. He may have had cuts and bruises from others being mean to him.

Maybe he had sores because he did not have good food like milk, vegetables or meat. Lazarus longed for food. He would have been happy with the crumbs from the rich man's table.

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Dogs were Lazarus' friends

Stray dogs sometimes padded over to the poor helpless beggar. They sniffed around him and licked his wounds. It seems nobody cared that Lazarus was starving.

Lazarus died and went to Heaven

One morning, Lazarus did not wake up. The poor starving, friendless beggar had left this life. Lazarus was dead.

Joy began for Lazarus the moment he died. Jesus said angels carried him to be with Abraham. Lazarus was comforted by God.

The rich man also died

The rich man also died. All his money could not save his life. When death came, nobody could stop it.

The rich man was buried. Perhaps it was a large funeral. Perhaps people praised the rich man for being clever and successful. 

Their praises did not help him. The rich man was in Hell.

The rich man discovered that he was in hell

In Hell, the rich man cried, "Father Abraham, send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame."

"In life you had everything and Lazarus had nothing," Abraham reminded the rich man. "Now Lazarus is comforted and you are tormented. No one can cross the great gulf between you and us."

The rich man asked Abraham to warn his siblings

"Send Lazarus to warn my five brothers," the rich man pleaded. "I don't want them to end up in this place of torment."

"Your brothers have God's Word," Abraham replied. If the five brothers would not believe the Bible, they would not believe if Lazarus came back from the dead.

When Jesus finished the story of the rich man and Lazarus, perhaps the religious leaders asked themselves, "Do I love riches more than I love God?"

Now they knew what would happen if they did not heed God's Word.

Message from the bible story rich man, poor man

This Bible story tells us about our wonderful God who made us and who wants us to know Him.

God knows we have done bad things, which He calls sin.  The punishment for sin is death, but God loves us so  much He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a Cross and be punished for our sins.

Then Jesus came back to life and went home to Heaven! If you believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive your sins, He will do it! He will come and live in you now, and you will receive eternal life.  

Prayer for salvation from sins

If you want to turn from your sins, say this to God: 

Dear God, I believe that Jesus died for me and  now lives again.  Please forgive my sins, so that I can have new life now, and one day go to be with You forever. 

You are now my only God and I will love you alone. Help me to live for You as Your child. 

I turn away from all the bad things I used to do, and trust you to make me righteous as you are, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 

Rich man, poor man bible verses  - Luke 16: 19 - 31.

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 

20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 

21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 

23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 

24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ 

25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 

26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ 

27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— 

28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 

29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 

30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 

31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

ATTRIBUTION - RICH MAN, POOR MAN

Written by: E. Duncan Hughes 

Illustrated by: Alastair Paterson and M. Maillot  and Lazarus.    

Adapted by: M. Maillot and Sarah S. Produced by: Bible for Children - www.M1914.org 

©2020 Bible for Children, Inc. 

License: You have the right to copy or print this story,  as long as you do not sell it.