30 Days - an Overview of the Bible in Just Thirty Daysنموونە

How to Plan for Your Future

When Ludwig Nobel died in 1888, a journalist, who mistakenly identified him as Alfred, published Alfred's obituary instead. Alfred Nobel was able to see written before him a summary of the achievements of his life. Materially, it had been a great success – he was very rich. He was a scientific genius; he invented dynamite together with the even more potent solution, blasting gelatine, and in 1880 he patented an almost smokeless gun powder that European armies rushed to buy. In his obituary he was described as ‘the merchant of death’. Alfred Nobel was shocked. Was this all his life had been about? Enabling humankind to destroy itself more efficiently?

This chilling incident caused Nobel to make a complete u-turn, instructing his executors to invest over 90% of his fortune to establish what is now known as the Nobel Prizes - a series of five prizes awarded annually to those persons who had contributed most to the benefit of humankind during the preceding year.

If you died today what would your obituary say?

Luke 12:13 - 12:21

In this passage from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells a story about another ‘successful’ man – a businessman who had made a lot of money was considering plans for expanding his company, and was looking forward to the prospect of early retirement. Jesus’ hearers would have been basking in this tale of wealth and success, but Jesus tells us that his obituary was written by God. It was very short – just ‘You fool!’ The Greek word for ‘fool’ literally means someone ‘without thought’. Although he planned, he did not think about the really important questions of life.

Here are three aspects to consider for your life.

1. Plan for the long-term

The man in the parable made mistakes about the length of his life. He assumed he had ‘many years’ to live (v.19). In fact, he was to die that very night(v.20) – and would be required to give an account of his life. Furthermore, he had never thought beyond this life. In counting on time here, he forgot about eternity. So many people take such a short-term view, but it’s a wise person who takes a long-term view.

2. Think about the meaning of life

The man thought that life was all about having the hallmarks of success: treasure, leisure and pleasure (v.19).

• Treasure

But Jesus points out: ‘Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions’ (v.15). Material prosperity does not fully satisfy and it does not last (v.20).

• Leisure

The man had planned to ‘take life easy’ (v.19). Leisure is a blessing but it does not give meaning to life.

• Pleasure

He was going to ‘eat, drink and be merry’ (v.19). Again, this well-tried combination never truly satisfies. As the actor Jim Carrey said, ‘I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of, so they can see that it’s not the answer.’

There is nothing wrong with material possessions, playing a lot of golf or enjoying our food and drink, but these are not what life is really about. Life is all about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and our relationships with others.

3. Recognise your greatest need

The fool thought he was self-sufficient. He thought he could do it by himself: he didn’t need God or anyone else. Actually, he was very self-centred. Self-centredness is the root of the human problem. This is why Jesus came to set us free from the cell of our own self-centredness.

The rich man failed to understand the way to be truly rich. He was not ‘rich towards God’ (v.21). As has been pointed out, a person wrapped up in themselves makes a very small package.

Jesus encourages you to look beyond material possessions and physical needs: ‘Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion’ (v.22, MSG). There is nothing wrong with these things, but they should not be your focus – ‘life is more than food, and the body more than clothes’ (v.23). Jesus goes on to say ‘seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well’ (v.31).

When you make God your first priority and see the needs beyond ourselves - Jesus is saying that our own needs will also be taken care of in the process.

It is worth asking yourself these questions:

1. Are you living only for today, or do you have an eternal perspective?
2. What are your priorities? Are they treasure, leisure and pleasure, or your relationship with God and loving others?
3. Do you find yourself focusing on or worrying about your physical and material needs? What could you do to look beyond these things and trust God to provide?

Prayer

Lord, I’m sorry for the times when I have made treasure, leisure and pleasure my primary ambition. Help me to refocus my life to seek you above all other things and to serve you wholeheartedly.

References

© Nicky Gumbel, 2024

This reading plan is adapted from the book 30 Days by Nicky Gumbel. It is published by Hodder and Stoughton in the UK, and by HarperCollins Christian Publishing in the USA.