Luke 16:19-21 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

Both are recipients of God (Vs. 25), whatever we have in this life is from God. We could rich or we could be poor we need to know it has come through the hands of God. This status is not a permanent status; it could be there maximum our life on this earth but what matters most is our eternal status.

When our Lord is talking about the rich man here, he is not generalizing all rich man but the emphasis is on what we value most. It is either what is 1) highly valued among men (money) 2) highly valued with God (heart that loves God and serves God) vs. 13, 15. The scripture says what is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight (Vs.15)

We cannot have anything or anybody on equal terms with God. He is the Master or He is not. We cannot let money control our lives neither and at the same time have God control our lives; we cannot love money and love God at the same time. Money is important but money is not all that important. (Vs. 13)

In terms of physical (temporary) status the rich man was richer than Lazarus but in terms of spiritual (eternal) status Lazarus was richer than the rich man. This status makes a huge difference when we depart from this earth.

[Clothed in purple] A purple robe or garment. This color was expensive as well as splendid, and was chiefly worn by princes, nobles, and those who were very wealthy. Compare Matt 27:28. See the notes at Isa 1:18.

[Fine linen] This linen was chiefly produced of the flax that grew on the banks of the Nile, in Egypt, Prov 7:16; Ezek 27:7. It was especially soft and white, and was, therefore, much sought as an article of luxury, and was so expensive that it could be worn only by princes, by priests, or by those who were very rich, Gen 41:42; 1 Chron 15:27; Ex 28:5.

[Fared sumptuously] Feasted or lived in a splendid manner.

[Every day] Not merely occasionally, but constantly. This was a mark of great wealth, and, in the view of the world, evidence of great happiness. It is worthy of remark that Jesus did not charge on him any crime. He did not say that he had acquired this property by dishonesty, or even that he was unkind or uncharitable; but simply that he "was a rich man," and that his riches did not secure him from death and perdition.

And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, [Beggar] Poor man. The original word does not mean "beggar," but simply that he was "poor." It should have been so translated to keep up the contrast with the "rich man."

[Named Lazarus] The word Lazarus is Hebrew, and means a man destitute of help, a needy, poor man. It is a name given, therefore, to denote his needy condition.

[Laid at his gate] At the door of the rich man, in order that he might obtain aid.

[Full of sores] Covered with ulcers; afflicted not only with poverty, but with loathsome and offensive ulcers, such as often are the accompaniments of poverty and want. These circumstances are designed to show how different was his condition from that of the rich man. "He" was clothed in purple; the poor man was covered with sores; "he" fared sumptuously; the poor man was dependent even for the crumbs that fell from the rich man's table. (Barnes)

Departure

Luke 16:22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.

Everybody has got their God given time on earth. We need to leave this place when God calls us to leave. I have come across some godly men and their behaviour prior to their death that makes you feel probably they knew they will die and they are men who are prepared / ready to face death coz they know on the other side Christ is waiting to welcome them home. But many a times our time of departure is unknown to us, it can come any time.

Uncertainty of our departure calls us to be prepared at all times (daily). Somebody said “We need to live as if Christ is coming today”.

What we do here in God given time matters for eternity. Here is the time where we can know God, have relationship with Him, begin to love Him and to serve Him, influence others for Him. What we do here with our lives he will hold us accountable there. Heb 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

What men do with Christ here determines the place of their arrival (heaven or hell)

Arrival

Luke 16:22, 23-26 …the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'

Arrive at two different places - Heaven and Hell (from one you cannot go to another and vice versa). There are only two places we are neither in heaven nor in hell. And we cannot change places.

At their arrival there is a total change of their status. Rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day now he is in torment at hell. Beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores…now is in a place where there is no hunger…no pain…no sorrow.

The rich man used to see Lazarus at his gate all the time and did nothing to him but now here he sees Lazarus, totally different Lazarus and by the side of Abraham and he pleads father Abraham for Lazarus to do something to him (dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue)