The gospel parable about Lazarus and the rich man, preaches Fr Vincent Temirov, reveals several key points: first of all, earthly success and wealth in no way equate to holiness or a special relationship with God. Fr Vincent reminds us that the rich man’s sufferings after death were a direct resulty of his own lifelong refusal to receive God’s love and follow His commandment to love your neighbor. The rich man spent a lifetime loving only himself and his riches, rather than loving God and his neighbor Lazarus; therefore, his heart was hardened and he became incapable of accepting or perceiving God’s love.