The Bible reveals that life is short and points out that death might occur at any moment. We don’t know when we are going to die.

In Luke, Chapter 12:16-21 is recorded that story of a man who thought he had many years in which to get richer and live a life of ease. “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops? So he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”

But God said to him, “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

This rich farmer made great plans, but he didn’t include God in those plans. There is nothing wrong with planning for the future, but there is something wrong when we plan the future and do not include God in those plans. We talk about what we are going to do tomorrow, and yet tomorrow is something of which we cannot be certain.

The most tragic thing about all of this is that most of the world will not be prepared for either death or the Lord’s return. So many of us are so busily engaged in the game of acquiring this world’s goods that we do not serve the Lord as we should. We lay up treasure here on earth but neglect laying up treasure where it really counts, in heaven.

Solomon said, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day bring forth.” (Proverbs 27:1)

In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life; and there be few who find it.

These verses indicate that the majority will be lost; therefore, the majority will be unprepared for death or for the Lord’s coming.

Are you ready to go to heaven or are you so attached to this world you would not be suitable for heaven?

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, because thou has rejected knowledge, I will reject thee.” (Hosea 4:6)

It is going to be a sad day for those who have been deceived into believing a false hope for the salvation of their souls. The Bible was given to us for a way of escape and we can choose to accept or reject it. By studying the Bible and rightly dividing it, anyone can know the truth that will set you free. (2 Tim. 2:15)

It would be amazing to know how many people actually open up their bible and study it properly. Death is not the end of things, but can be the beginning.

It is written, “And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9: 27)

The most important thing about dying is to be ready for it. This can be accomplished by being a Christian while you live upon the earth. Are you making great plans like the rich farmer did in Luke, Chapter 12 and leaving God out of those plans? The most important thing in life is, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33)We save ourselves simply by doing the things the Lord has required that we do.

If you have a question or comment about this article or about any Bible subject, please write: Randall Phipps (Clintwood Church of Christ), P0. Box 746, Clintwood, Va. 24228. Our web address is clintwoodchurchofchrist.com