The reason that I think the Lazarus story is in the scriptures is to illustrate that tithes and offerings alone are only a part of the picture. Leading a Godly life, even if you still have little or no ability for making tithes and offerings, can also get you into heaven. Service to God and your fellow men counts for something too.
The story about Lazarus was meant to show that while it isn’t wrong to be rich, it is wrong for anyone to be indifferent, as the rich man was to Lazarus and his plight.