Luke 16:24-26

24 And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’

On October 20, 1989 the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nine recorded the single “ Head Like A Hole” for their debut album Pretty Hate Machine. The song is how much control money has over people and the pain and suffering associated with it, nicknamed (God Money). The Reason I pick this song to go with the Bible passage is because of the lyrics  in the Post-Chorus;

Bow down before the one you serve, You’re going to get what you deserve, Bow down before the one you serve, You’re going to get what you deserve,

Even if Nine Inch Nails is a secular band, their song “Head Like A Hole,” basically says the same thing Abraham tells the rich man, why he is suffering in agony after his death. He spent the majority of life on earth, chasing luxury and he never shared his good fortune with Lazarus. The funniest thing about this conversation, the rich man must have known the poor man’s name and also knew he was starving to death, cause he didn’t deny anything. The United States Declaration of Independence, has the famous phrase “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” and this phrase is also meaningful for the people or creations of God. You either pursue the treasures of this world or that of the heavenly kingdom. Jesus teaches during His famous sermon on the mount that treasure is within the hearts and most likely that person, he or she will spend their life chasing that desire to accomplish it.

Matthew 6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; 21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The difference to the desires  of this world and the kingdom of God, chasing worldly treasure is about pleasing me, myself and I. The desire to store treasure in heaven is about serving and pleasing God. The word of God says the treasures of is good foundation and is the future and sharing wealth with others is the desires of the Lord and it should be the desires of the children of God.

1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.

The  Biblical passage of  Luke 16:24-26 teaches a Christian, if you wanna avoid the agony of no luxury for eternity then practice the law of God by loving each other and fulfill His great commandment. Having a tasty meal while others watch you eat and wearing fine clothes while others are being licked by dogs, isn’t showing any love at all. God bless you all, the Lord Jesus loves you and so do I. Samuel Jerry Head.

James 5:1 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.