Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1923-01-25
LESSON FOR JANUARY e
THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
LEssoN TExr-Luke le:1g-sl.

y GOLDEN TEXT-Charge them that are
rich in this world, that they be not high
minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but
in the living God. who giveth US richly
all things to enjoy.--I Tim. SIT.
! REFERENCE MATERIAL-Psalm 1916
] 20; ii Cor. S:1-9 | Tim. 6:17-19.
I PRIMARY TOPIC-Story Of a Rich Man
| and a Beggar.
JUNIOR TOPIC-The Poor Rich Man
and the Rich Poor Man.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
| Penalties Of Selfishness
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| Right Use of Wealth.
Fl In this lesson we are afforded
peep into two worlds where we see
disclosed extremes of character and
conditions No more graphic picture
lcould be drawn showing the contrast
of two lives. These lives were intend
led to be representative. The rich
imam descends from the highest pima
jcle of worldly enjoyment to the
depths of endless misery. The poor
Nlbeggar ascends from utter wretched-
ness and misery to the loftiest heights
of blessing.
Il l.. contrasted Lives (yv. 1920.
II 1. The Rich Man w. 19). He lived
lin a mansion secluded from the com
mon people. He was clothed in cost
lily raiment; his outer garments were
of purple and his inner garments OF
fine linen. He fed upon the richest
food that could be provided His sin
was to selfishly indulge his appetites
without consideration for others.
2. The Beggar wv. 20, 21). He was
laid at the rich mans gate with the
hope of getting at least the crumbs
from his table The dogs of the street
were more kind to him than the rich
IMAM Lazarus means "God is help"
indicating that godly life shone
Through his poverty. We learn from
these contrasted lives that worldly
condition is no sure test of mans
state in the sight of God. Rich men
ARE not all wicked or selfish, and not
all poor men are cody.
u. contrasted Deaths and Funerals
". 22)
l. The Beggar. He was found dead
and his body hurried off to a pau
per's grave. No notice was taken of
lit by the world.
2. The Rich Man He also died.
His gold could not bride the nlessen-
ger of death. Doubtless a costly
funeral was held, attended by those
who moved in his class of society.
Death is the common end to which all
classes must come.
/! III. Contrasted Destinies ". 23).
/. The Beggar. He was at once
carried by the angels into Abraham's
bosom. The souls of believers are es-
pecially cared for at the hour of
death.
O. The Rich Man. Though he had
an elaborate funeral he lifted up his
eyes in hell, being in torment. When
the veil of futurity is lifted we see
that the positions Of these men are
reversed. The poor man was in the
company of just men made perfect,
because of his godly life while on
earth, and the rich man is stripped
OF his purple and fine linen and cast
into hell with all wicked men, because
while on earth he only lived for selfish
ends.
~. The Reality and Fixedness Of
Life Beyond the Grave wv. 24-31).
/. The Cry for Mercy ". 24). Dives.
which is the Latin name for "rich
man." was now willing to claim rela-
tionship to Abraham. He was keenly
conscious, and the appetites which
controlled him while on earth were
still with him. Instead of means
of qualification they were now an in
strument Of torture. Part of the tor
ment of hell will be the cravings of
appetite and lust, with no means OF
their qualification.
2. Abraham's Reply w. 25). This
reply cast the matter back upon the
mans memory. He said. "Son, re-
member" The lashings of a guilty
conscience will be most real In hell.
3. Their Fixedness w. 26). Human
destinies are fixed by the choices dur
ing the life. When one passes out of
this life he enters into an unchange-
able state and condition.
4. Gods Word and the All-Sufficient
Light wv. 27-3I. Dives now request
ed that Lazarus go on an errand of
mercy to his brethren. He regarded
the testimony of a spirit of more
value than the Word Of God. Many
today are more willing to trust the
rappings of a ghost than the sure
Word of God. Abraham declared that
Gods Word is sufficient-tba those
who reject Moses and the prophets
would not repent though visited by
one who had risen from the dead.
The creates; miracles will not affect
the hearts Of men who reject the
Bible.
pavesonment