Luke 16:30-31 NLT “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” https://bible.com/bible/116/luk.16.30-31.NLT Good morning and praise God. I hope you're having a great day. It's quite late at night and my good LORD has seen it best time for me to share with you an important message. The lesson is from the parable of Rich man and Lazarus. This is only recorded by Dr. Luke. He was the best person to record this message as it is message especially to elites and he was one of them being a physician by profession. The world mourns departure of Rebecca Dolly Parton. She has lived and plainly talked that living this life is not just about yourself. She wasn't born rich but she worked hard and if she really wanted to live rich, she'd, however she decided to share her wealth to the needy people God put in her life. She's lived having defeated a common demon called selfishness and the sister demon called riches and famous brother materialism. We can be confident she's made it through the narrow way. From our Bible extract today, the rich man's sin that ended him in Hell was that he never found need to revere God. He probably had worked hard to earn his riches and so he would look down to Lazarus who'd be a beggar at his gate as a failure. He would maybe see Lazarus as a man who did not work hard enough and so ended eating from what fell from his table and had no money to pay medications so remained ill with wounds that were lick by dogs. The rich man failed the test that God set before Him. Lazarus was just at his gate. Was he waiting for a voice message from heaven to know he needed to take care of Lazarus? We can assume this richman was loved in his church because he would give large sum of money to show off. People would listen careful to him when he spoke and even take his invalid ideas as valid. To the world, this rich man was blessed and Lazarus was cursed. In our last devotion we learned about a people that Jesus will reject and cast out though they'd claim they lived all their lives serving him. They'll join this team "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Rev 22:15. Oops heaven has no place for wild scavengers! You're either heir with Son (Jesus Christ) or outside. Imagine eternity without God who created you? I refuse this in Jesus name! My fellow believer, God is calling us to be careful about riches of this world. It is not just about money but of anything that will blind us to an extent that we don't see the test presented to us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves . Shedding that gown of materialism is a big step to becoming rich in Christ. Do you remember the promise of Satan to Jesus Christ when he tempted him? Luke 4:7 "I will give it all to you if you will worship me.” Yes, the enemy is crafty and witty and knows how to entice with 'true lies'. Let's take guard and keep the greatest commandment."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30:31. Live it not just reciting it with your mouth. Bible warns against loving with mouth. It should be from your heart and with action. It is not by your strength but through grace He gives us as we seek Him through Word and prayer. Be the hand of God to as many brothers and sisters as God directs you. May He who is the way, truth and life revive you. May He who is the light of the world shine upon your life always. Amen. Have a blessed day. Shalom. Shalom.