In the story Jesus told of the rich man who died and went to hell, and the poor man, Lazarus, who died and went to heaven, the question is, "did the rich man go to hell because of his wealth?"
The answer is no. Wealthy people CAN be saved.
Well then why DID the rich man go to hell?
The answer is buried in the story, and is very interesting.
Listen to the conversation between this rich man in hell, and "father Abraham."
Luke, chapter 16
The rich man appeals to Abraham to send someone from the dead to testify to his brothers on earth: 28. `for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' 29. "Abraham said to him, `They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.' 30. "And he said, `No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' 31. "But he said to him, `If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.' ''
The determining words are "No, father Abraham."
No?
No?
No???
No ....what?
Abraham told him that they have the Bible, the Word of God, which Jesus often referred to as "the Law and the Prophets." This is what will bring them salvation if they will "hear them."
The man in hell says, "NO, but ......" and changes the subject.
He said "NO" .......to the Bible and its message, and thought a personal visitation from the dead, seeing a miracle, something supernatural, would persuade his brothers.
He was refusing the Word of God, and demanding a supernatural experience insisting that that would "persuade them."
Abraham made it clear that salvation is to be found in God's Word, the Bible, which God gave to man to reveal to man all about God and about salvation.
What is your response to the Word of God?
If it's "No, but ....." then you've missed it and nothing else will be able to persuade you.
