Live Like You Were Dying

 November 4, 2024

Monday

Life does not always give you what you expect. We make plans and have them destroyed almost every day. Yet, we remain a people who depend on predictions. We listen daily to the weather report even though it is often wrong. We read economic predictions from economists who hardly ever get it right. We learn that both of these professions depend upon making multiple predictions so that one of those predictions is right.

It is better to have safeguards than rely on predictions. It is better to have insurance than to depend on nothing happening. It is better to have more gas in the tank than is absolutely necessary to arrive at the destination. It is better to have a contingency fund for the unexpected expenses that can’t be predicted. The lack of these safeguards will eventually cause crises in our lives.

Jesus told a parable of a man who had a great harvest. He decided to build bigger barns and take it easy for the rest of his life. Jesus said that the man would die right away and wouldn’t get anything out of that harvest. The man did not prepare for his ultimate future. He could only see what was immediately in front of him.

People generally don’t prepare to meet Jesus face-to-face. They prepare for retirement. They prepare for their finances. They prepare for good health when they may not have one day of it left. Many people think that trusting in Christ is all they need to do to go to heaven. They are right. But will Jesus find them faithful when they go to meet Him face-to-face? What will happen when they stand before the judgement seat of Christ?

I cannot predict what will happen in anyone’s life. I can tell people to always be prepared. Be known as someone who is always reaching others for Christ. Then, when the time comes, you’ll have something to show your faithfulness.

Luke 12:16–21 (NASB 2020)¹⁶ And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive. ¹⁷ And he began thinking to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will store all my grain and my goods there. ¹⁹ And I will say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years to come; relax, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!” ’ ²⁰ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is demanded of you; and as for all that you have prepared, who will own it now?’ ²¹ Such is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich in relation to God.”