09.25.07
“NO TOMORROW?”
Luke 12:19-21
“And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.’ 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?’ This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
How would you feel and what would you do if you knew that your life would end today? Would you go about your activities as you do now? What actions would you take with eternity stretching out before you? Who would you contact to make sure their heart was right with God?
When I was a pastor in a neighboring community, I had a dear friend, Dr. Ludwig Eskildsen. He was a former pastor who had been born and raised in Denmark. He shared with me one day about what his life was like during World War II, when the Nazi’s occupied his country. A very wicked Nazi commander in their area became angry at the Christian ministers. He issued an order that all of the pastors were to be arrested the following day and executed.
Word of the commander’s order leaked out and the pastors were faced with about twenty-four hours left to live. Dr. E described his feelings during that dreadful time. Things which had seemed so important before had little importance in view of one’s impending death.
One incident which he related seemed extremely insightful. The family owned a very costly vase which was placed on display on a table in the living room. Dr. E and his wife often cautioned the children if they played too close to the table. That vase was precious and must be protected against accident.
On this dreadful day–thinking it may be his last–Dr. E saw his daughter walking dangerously close to the table. He was about to shout a warning as he had in the past. At that instant he realized that it really did not matter. He very well could be dead by this time tomorrow! Instead he called the child over to him and gave her a warm embrace.
As the Christians prayed, God intervened and in answer to their prayer, the wicked commander was ordered back to Berlin. The order which he had issued was never executed.
I often stop to wonder about the “vases” in my life. What are the things which seem so important to me but upon closer examination hold no eternal value?
It is interesting that Jesus uses the words, “- - - rich toward God.” This is in opposition to storing up things for ourselves. What does it mean to be rich toward God? Many Scriptures may hold the answer, but there is one which is uppermost in my mind.
As a boy growing up a few blocks from a Christian college, I recall the college sign board at the corner of the campus. The body of the sign contained in large letters the name of the college. Across the top of the sign in smaller letters was a Scripture. Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
To me, that sums up being rich toward God. Not seeking Him as an after thought, but as the Scripture says, seeking Him FIRST. I want that to be my aim in life regardless of the time God calls me home.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil