What Happens After Death?

The world we live in is so filled with technology, science, and modern conveniences that we seldom think seriously about tomorrow... meaning after life on earth ends. So often life is comfortable and we can figure out ways of surviving. The question then is, “What happens when we take our last breath? What happens to all the possessions we may have?” Jesus told a parable of a rich man who had an abundant crop. Instead of sharing from his abundance, he says in Luke 12, “...'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "’You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Jesus makes it clear that we can’t take it with us, and no matter how much we own, it will not help with eternity. The rich man used what he had for his own comforts with no thought of others. The haunting words are, "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” What we have and “enjoy” on earth is a spec of time compared with eternity. What does it mean to be rich toward God? It is the opposite to storing up things for us. It is investing in God, walking in faith, and being obedient to His will. The Bible says that faith in God is the only way to inherit salvation. I understand that there are those that have lost loved ones that may not know if they had faith in God. That can be heart breaking. We want to find someone who will say everything will be ok, but there are some cases we will never know. If everyone that was “nice” makes it to heaven, then it would appear Jesus death and resurrection were not necessary... but it was necessary. If we don’t understand that many will not enter heaven, we will not take our own faith seriously. We can’t change another’s heart, but we can grow in our Christian faith. May you find rest and assurance in knowing the Savior. Father, there are so many that don’t know You or haven’t fully committed to You. Change our hearts and turn us to You. Amen