“A person is a fool to . . not have a rich relationship with God.” Luke 12:21 NLT
“The brevity of life must be held in dynamic tension with the gravity of an eternal soul.”
My thoughts and comments today are about “vital questions.”
It is possible to be wise and careful in many ways and things, and yet be foolish where it counts most. A person can succeed at work and fail at home. A person can be diligent and hard working, but careless with their earnings and have little to show for their efforts. A person can know a lot of people superficially, but not be known by anyone really; acquaintances are the superficial substitute for relationships. You get the picture.
Life is as much determined by the times and ways you are not wise, as the times you are. Life is about tending to things that truly matter. What would be the purpose of a student attending class but never bothering to study? Why be married but not invest yourself in the marriage and family? Why work hard to get ahead in your job, but spend irresponsibly? Is it worth it?
Everyone accumulates inconsistencies that diminish their best efforts. People who fail to recognize those inconsistencies waste their time, and ultimately their life. That is a grave mistake. Jesus asked a lot of questions, not because He lacked answers. He asks vital questions because He wants people to know the answers that hold eternal consequence. This is the most penetrating question you will answer deliberately or by default. “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 NKJV. Too many people default on the very thing they can least afford to neglect. Have you ever asked, and answered, that question? The well-being of your eternal soul rests on your personal, honest answer.
Jesus introduced a story of a very rich, prosperous man with this summation, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Read Luke 12:15-23 NLT. His history was one of hard work and long hours, and he enjoyed the success that comes from that, “his barns were full to overflowing.” His future was well planned and he looked ahead with expectation of even greater success and enjoyment, “build bigger barns . . I’ll have room to enough to store everything.” Currently, his focus was to “sit back . . take it easy. Eat, drink and be merry!” Pleasure was his plan.
Had he left anything to chance? He didn’t think so, but he overlooked the welfare of his soul. He planned for life, but failed to consider eternity. He provided well for himself, but poorly for his soul. The brevity of life must be held in dynamic tension with the gravity of an eternal soul. Read Jesus’ words thoughtfully and reflect on them personally, “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ So is he (a fool) who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:20-21 NKJV.
However wise you are in the common matters of everyday life, you must not neglect your eternal soul. Be “rich with God!” Is it worth it? Yes, indeed! In comparison, all else is inconsequential. God does not begrudge nor withhold from you the best that life offers but His first concern is your soul, as should be yours. “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” 3 John 2 NKJV. Being without a prosperous soul is foolish. Would you like to be sure about that right now? “He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong.” Read 1 John 1:8-10 NLT.
My prayer for you today is that you have Godly priorities with eternal perspective.