How can we align our lives with God's will, avoiding the fate in Luke 12:20? The parable’s wake-up call “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have prepared for yourself?’ ” (Luke 12:20) The rich landowner’s sudden death exposes the tragedy of living for self-made security while ignoring God’s agenda. Earthly gain evaporates; eternity arrives unannounced. Seeing God’s will clearly • Scripture presents God’s will as living for His glory, obeying His Word, and investing in eternal matters (Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 6:19-21). • God’s will flows from His unchanging character and remains fully revealed in the Bible, which is accurate and trustworthy in every detail. • The Holy Spirit empowers believers to understand and walk in that will (John 16:13; Galatians 5:16-18). Practical steps for realignment • Surrender every area of life to Christ’s lordship. – “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1). • Renew the mind daily with Scripture. – Regular reading, memorization, and meditation re-pattern thought life (Romans 12:2). • Acknowledge God in every decision. – “In all your ways acknowledge Him” (Proverbs 3:6). • Cultivate an eternal perspective. – “Set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2). • Practice generous stewardship. – “Be rich in good works, generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18). • Walk wisely and purposefully. – “Redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). • Depend on God’s sovereignty over the future. – “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). Handling possessions as stewards, not owners • Recognize everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). • Budget and spend with prayerful intentionality. • Give firstfruits, not leftovers, to kingdom work. • Use material resources to bless the needy and advance the gospel. • Avoid debt that presumes on tomorrow. Living with eternity in view • Treasure Christ above all temporary pleasures (1 John 2:17). • Anticipate accountability at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). • Invest in relationships, discipleship, and evangelism—values that follow into eternity. • Welcome Christ’s return as the climax of hope (Titus 2:13). Daily habits that keep the heart tender • Morning thanksgiving and Scripture intake. • Ongoing conversation with God throughout the day. • Quick confession and repentance when convicted. • Weekly fellowship, worship, and communion with believers. • Regular rest that acknowledges dependence on God, not on personal productivity. Guardrails against the rich fool’s trap • Resist hoarding; practice planned generosity. • Replace self-congratulation with humble gratitude. • Measure success by faithfulness, not accumulation. • Keep an updated will and kingdom-minded estate plan. • Frequently recall the brevity of life and certainty of eternity (Psalm 90:12). A concluding encouragement “Whoever does the will of God remains forever” (1 John 2:17). Walking in God’s will transforms fleeting days into seeds for everlasting harvest, shielding the soul from the rich fool’s fate and securing joy that death cannot touch. |
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