1. Firm Foundations Lesson 45: The foolishness of trusting in riches Memory verse: Matthew 16:26

2. Introduction  Do you have any problems?  Would a million dollars take care of your problems?  Money sometimes seems like the answer, but let’s look at God’s perspective

3. Foolishness of living only for things of this life  Luke 12:15  Many people want things  Many are jealous of what others have  Jesus told a parable about this  Luke 12:16-19  Farmer thought he had all he needed  Didn’t consider that God gives/takes life

4.  Luke 12:20  Farmer didn’t consider God’s plans for him  When God decides it’s time for someone to die, he dies.  Luke 12:21  God’s treasure is better than the world’s riches  Warning: use your time and energy for God, not riches Foolishness of living only for things of this life (cont.)

5. The rich man and Lazarus  Luke 16:19-21  Who was better off? The rich man, or Lazarus?  Luke 16:22  What was “Abraham’s bosom”?  Were the man’s riches of any use to him after he died?  When someone dies, they go to one of 2 places  With God  Fire and punishment for your sin

6. The rich man’s cry for help  Luke 16:23  Rich man was in hell!  Even now, more than 2,000 years later, and for eternity!  Luke 16:24  Great suffering in Hell  God hates sin, it must be paid in full  Thinks he can still treat Lazarus as a servant

7. Abraham’s answer  Luke 16:25  Lazarus must have trusted God; rich man trusted riches  Circumstances now reversed  Luke 16:26  Once you die, there is no way of escape or change

8. The rich man’s appeal on behalf of his brothers  Luke 16:27-28  He still remembered this world, though in Hell!  Wanted Lazarus to go back and warn his family  Still wants to treat Lazarus as a servant

9. Abraham’s answer  Luke 16:29  God’s Word was enough to warn his family  It’s enough to warn everyone

10. The rich man’s argument and Abraham’s verdict  Luke 16:30  Wanted a miracle to help convince them  Luke 16:31  Miracles don’t create faith in the faithless

11. Conclusion  Time stretches endlessly in both directions  Lazarus and rich man are still in the same places they were 2,000 years ago  Lazarus: peace with God  Rich man: suffering in Hell  Their future decided while they still lived on earth  Where are you on this time line?  How long will your life be?  The choices you make will affect your life for eternity Eternity past Rich man Lazarus Jesus 2,000 yearsToday Your life Eternity future