11.16.04

Adversity pursues sinners, but the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, and the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. - Proverbs 13:21-22 NASB®.

…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. - Hebrews 9:27 NASB®.

Wisdom sometimes comes from unexpected places; however, when it does we ought to listen. Thirty-four year old rapper, Jay-z, while considering becoming CEO Island/Def Jam Records said, "Rap is a young man's game, and I thought about that even when I was young - it has to come to an end. Whatever job you have, be it hustling on the street or working at the mall, you gotta have a plan for when it's over."

In this lifetime, we normally go through several different stages. Life can in very general terms be viewed as the stages of childhood, young adulthood, middle age, and older age followed by physical death and eternity.

In childhood preparations should be made for life as an adult. Those preparations are made in gaining the skills necessary to function as an adult such as physical skills, communication skills, and vocational skills. In addition there should especially be the development of spiritual skills as children including God‘s plan for their lives.

In young adulthood preparations must be made for middle age, which includes long range planning for raising of children and providing for their needs such as college. Also in young adulthood consideration of what will be necessary for retirement should be given thought. Much prayer and thought should be given to God’s purpose, will, and plan - His call upon your life.

In middle age provision for retirement and in addition for children and grandchildren should be made. My in-laws were especially good stewards of the resources God entrusted to them. Through their wise use of those resources, they always had more than enough to tithe and were able to help their children’s families. Even though my mother-in-law is in her eighties, she has continued her wise stewardship and has also been able to help the families of her grandchildren. What a great blessing my mother-in-law and father-in-law have been to us and many others! What a great example!

The most important preparation of all for a person to make is for eternity. Just as jobs, careers come to an end so do our physical lives here on earth. It is only a fool that ignores this most important milestone that is fast approaching. It does seem strange that it is not thought of more frequently. Before I received Christ as my Savior, I only remember one time when I gave serious thought to what would happen after I died. It was five years later before I again gave it serious thought.

If you have not made preparations for eternity I would urge to do so now. Don’t put it off! Now is the time to receive Christ Jesus as your Savior. Bow your head and ask Him to come into your heart and life. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and be your Lord and Master. Ask Him to help you to live in a way that will be pleasing to Him. If you need help or more information, please send me an email.