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“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” (Luke 16:25/KJV).
This sentence stems from one of the Lord’s parables. There was a rich man who had plenty of everything. A beggar sitting at his gates used to hope for some meagre gifts from him. Dogs were licking his sores.
When both had died, Lazarus, the beggar found himself in the bosom of Abraham. The rich man, however, was in hell and could see Lazarus from a distance. He was crying out to Abraham then. Yet he was told that an abyss between them made it impossible to get from one place to the other.
The rich man’s final request was Abraham might send Lazarus to his brothers to warn them so they might escape this place of torment once they die. Yet Abraham said people who wouldn’t listen to Moses and the prophets most likely would not change their lifestyle either if somebody should return from the dead.
During his lifetime the rich man had all things to the full. Lazarus, however, had received “evil things” while on earth.
‘Kakos’, the Greek word translated evil in the above verse is the same as in 1 Corinthians 13:5. Love “thinketh no evil.”
Again we are challenged to consider our own assessments and thoughts. If we should desire bad things for others, this is not a loving attitude.
