PLAN AND LIVE

I have heard it said that we should plan as though we will live forever, but we should live as though today is our last. I am not sure who was the first to make that statement, but whoever it was, he or she was not only very wise, his or her thought is in total agreement with the Word of God. The underlying basis for it lies in the fact that only God knows when our life will end. 1 Samuel 20:3 says, "...truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death." Proverbs 27:1 says, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Perhaps the best passage stating the uncertainty of life is James 4:13-15:

"Go to now, ye that say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain': whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, 'If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.'"

Planning for the future is also encouraged in the Scriptures. Proverbs 6:6-11 says:

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man."

Living as though this is our last day is also encouraged, and it requires that we check our priorities. If we only have twenty-four hours to live, we definitely want to use our time wisely. Before we leave this world, it is extremely important to make things right with others. Matthew 5:23-24 says,

"Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar (or before we stand before God), and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."

I would suggest that the only other thing which should be a priority on our "to do list" for our last day is to share the Gospel with everyone we can. No one knows for sure who is saved and who is not. Therefore, tell everyone you meet about Jesus. Proverbs 11:30 says, "...and he that winneth souls is wise." If we truly love even our enemies, we want everyone to be saved. We should think like God, not wanting any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9).

I doubt that if we were to live as though it was our last day, our food, clothing, bank accounts, etc. would take up much of our thought. After all, Jesus said the Father would provide for all our needs (Matt. 6:25-33), and the rest matters little.