Jump Start # 3848
Luke 12:20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’”
Our verse today concludes the Lord’s parable about the rich farmer. He was prosperous. He had grand plans, tear down existing barns and build larger barns. His future dreams included taking things easy. He had worked hard and now he was set to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He was already living in tomorrow.
There was one problem with his plans. His plans required that he stick around. His plans hovered around him being here. And, that night, that very night his soul was required. He died that night. He died before the barns could be torn down. He died before the new barns could be built. He died before that year’s harvest could be gathered and stored. He died. He died that very night. He was not given another day to consider his choices. He was not given another week. That night he died.
The translations are consistent with expression, your soul is required. It means demanded back. We understand the concept of required. Before a surgeon can operate it is required that he has graduated from medical school and passed the boards. Before a college degree is handed out, it is required that a student have passed a series of classes that lead to that degree. Before one can drive on the highway, it is required that he has a driver’s license. Required. Expected. Demanded.
The soul of the farmer, as well as our souls, do not belong to us. They belong to God. We are given them to use, honor the Lord and help others. But there is a time when the souls will be required. As I write this, I think of a dear friend whose soul was required just a few nights ago. He was at work. He had no idea that he would never walk into his home again. He had no idea that that night was his last night. An incredible Christian. One of our shepherds. A preacher of God’s word. Just a month ago he walked his daughter down the isle as I asked him, “who gives this woman to be married to this man.” He was all lined up to teach a series of my classes since I was going on the road. We talked often. We understood preaching. He was my friend. But, that night his soul was required of him. I don’t think my friend would have done much different had he known that was his final night on this side of life. He walked daily with the Lord. He helped so many people. When things came up, he was first to volunteer. Much too young to leave us and much too needed to be gone, that night his soul was required of him.
First, as James tells us, life is just a vapor that appears for a short while. We make plans for tomorrow. We have appointments, things to do and places to go. There has always been a tomorrow for us. But one day, our souls will be required of us. It may a time that we and others can tell. Death is near. A long, drawn out disease, slowly takes all life out of us. We see it coming. Our family knows it is coming. For others, it may come, as with my friend, as with the farmer in Jesus’ story, quickly and unexpectedly. But, one day our souls will be required. One day we will have no more tomorrows here.
Second, walking every day with the Lord sure makes all the difference. Whether it’s today or in decades to come, our journey with the Lord brings peace to our souls and joy to others that we help. The Lord has been good to us and when our souls are required of us, we merely switch rooms and go to be with the Lord. There is comfort in that. There is hope in that.
Third, we leave footprints that others notice. Some footprints are not good and they are not going the right direction. Other footprints take us right to Jesus. Footprints of service. Footprints of faith. Footprints of love and forgiveness. Like Abel in the book of Hebrews, though he was dead, he still spoke. It wasn’t audible words. It wasn’t voices in the dark. His life spoke volumes. His love for the Lord spoke loudly. His desire to faithfully please the Lord still speaks to us today.
For the rich farmer in Jesus’ parable, he was not rich towards God. In fact, he was broke spiritually. He talked about his barns, his crops, his future and his life. The farmer spoke to his soul (19). He never spoke to God. He never thanked God for the abundant crops. He never praised God. Nothing in the text tells us that he was evil, violent or mean. But spiritual poverty doesn’t have to include those things. A man is broke spiritually by just ignoring God. He lived as if God didn’t exist. Many a ‘good person’ lives that same way today. They are not bad people, but they ignore the Lord.
But, have you ever considered the opposite of being poor with God? What does rich with God look like. I can tell you. It was seen in my friend who just passed away. He was like baseball’s utility player. He could play any position. Need someone to preach, my friend was there. Teach a class or take a class for a whole quarter. That was my friend. Lead singing. Yep, he did that. Shepherd the people of God, yes. Open his home up for others to sit at his table. Often. An encourager. One who taught many people one-on-one. A counselor in camps for decades. A humble, genuine servant of the Lord. That’s what rich in Christ looks like. And, when his “this very night” came, we were saddened, but the Lord welcomed him richly into the presence of God.
This very night…your soul is required. Sobering words. Scary words for one who doesn’t know the Lord. But, comforting to those who long to be with the Lord.
My friend is Shannon Shaffer. I miss him, but I look forward to seeing my friend again.
Roger