But God said to him, ‘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 NIV
At 80 years of age my grandmother still ran a business and was able to care for herself. Without any known health issues, she went to sleep one night and never woke again. It was tragic. Whether we go in our sleep, or not as graciously, we all face the reality of the grave.
Facing Death
Consider for a moment how Jesus faced the grave. Hebrews 12:2 urges us to fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.” God had promised to raise Him on the third day. Death could not hold Him and His faith never wavered in this promise. His relationship with His Father was so strong He could face the grave with great courage.
We all face death, but will we face it with the same courage? Romans 6:5 NIV states, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” What’s so uncertain about that?
In Psalm 90, King David wrote, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years; Or if due to strength, eighty years; Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.”
In Luke 12, Jesus shares of a farmer that had very productive land. In fact, his land produced so much grain, he had determined in his mind to tear down his old barns and build new and bigger barns so that he could store it all. To him, this plan was so perfect that he said to himself in verse nineteen, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” His retirement plan was all set and he went to sleep in great comfort. That very night God would require his soul and he would never have the opportunity to start this plan or experience the earthly pleasures he took so much comfort in.
Store Treasure in Heaven!
What lesson can we learn? Jesus provides that answer in verse twenty-one, “So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Jesus then goes on to direct the Disciples not to worry about the basic provisions of life, but to “store up treasures in Heaven” and to “Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks.” Living day-by-day, moment-by-moment with the reality that we will be in the presence of the Lord at any moment is both a matter of faith and obedience.
There is tremendous insight here as we consider how we give. To be rich towards God, one must first know Him and love Him. Then, as we grow in our knowledge of Him through His Word, our lives will continue to be transformed and marked with generosity.
Are you storing treasure in Heaven, or on earth? What are your thoughts on this topic? How can someone store more treasure in Heaven?