Your Life Will Be Demanded

YOU FOOL, THIS VERY NIGHT YOUR LIFE WILL BE DEMANDED FROM YOU. THEN WHO WILL GET WHAT YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR YOURSELF?' Luke 12.20.

Here was a successful farmer. His farm produced in abundance. He enlarged his barns. He stocked his produce for years. He looked forward to a bright future, and a good life of eating, drinking and partying! But he was not prepared for the shock that awaited him. God suddenly spoke up: ‘Tonight you will die! You will leave everything and go. Who will own all that you have stored up?’

This man will fit into today’s perfect picture of a ‘yuppy’. Business is prospering. Gains are staggering. He converts most into property, bungalows, holiday villas, luxury cars, yachts , stocks and shares, friends, parties and all the rest. But none of the yuppies are prepared for the shock they might suddenly face.

The other day I heard this about a wealthy businessman. He lived a hectic life expanding his business, building his empire, amassing wealth and property. He had little time for even his family. One day in the office he suddenly had a severe heart attack. He was taken to the best hospital and saw the best cardiologist. His verdict: ‘Dear friend, you had a serious heart attack. I don’t even know if you will pull through!’

In the intensive cardiac unit, attached to many tubes, he had some time to think about his life. Like the poor farmer, he too was not prepared for what he heard! Most of today’s generation is passing through a life of ‘make believe!’ They think they will live forever. They hope that health and wealth will last eternally. They consider their forefathers fools who worshipped gods. They know nothing more than the material. They have no time for God or eternity.

It is a great pity that not only non-Christians but even church-going Christians live very much the kind of life of the foolish farmer and the thoughtless businessman. God in His mercy has spoken to you and me through His Son Jesus Christ. It is He who told us this story of the rich farmer. In the eyes of the local businessman, he was an object of envy. To all, he was the epitome of hard work, shrewdness and success.

But God views differently! He sees people and things in the light of eternity and heaven. He has allotted for man a life-span of 70 or 80 years on earth! Everything he has accumulated here he must leave and go. Nothing has he brought and nothing will he take! God has determined eternity for men. Whether he gets to heaven or not is decided by his life here on earth. If our concern on earth is only wealth and health and we have no thought or time for God, heaven will be lost forever. But if we love God and fear Him and believe in His Son Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we will live eternally. Our treasure in heaven is measured by our service and sacrificial giving to God and man! You can be the richest man on earth but the joy of giving exceeds all earthly joys!

Pray and practise with me: Dear Lord, help me to live wisely and die in hope. Let me always trust in You and do Your will. Help me to store my treasures in heaven! Amen.