I don't remember when or where I heard this statement but I know it didn't originate with me. It came back to me today when I saw on the news that John Denver had been killed in the crash of an experimental plane and the reporter added how this raised new questions about the safety of experimental aircraft. Man continually tries to find ways to preserve and extend his life; new safety features on vehicles, decreasing crime in our streets and better health care for all are tools used in trying to better our society and environment. None of these in themselves are bad; even we Christians want to stay as long as God will allow us to but these things make me realize that for some people it is necessary to preserve life as long as possible because for them this life is all there is and there is no hope for anything further.
In his message of assurance to the Thessalonians, I Thes. 4:13-18, Paul stated in verse 13, "But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." Hope is one of those three blessed spiritual gifts that we as Christians do have. Those who have no hope of eternal life seek to create it in this life. To this day not one has been successful. Believers, on the other hand, know that this life is only the beginning. Instead of spending our days doing all we can to make them last longer and pleasing the flesh, we should be doing all we can for the Lord and his work, knowing that our life is "...a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away", James 4:14.
People try diet and exercise in order to try to live longer. Paul wrote in I Timothy 4:8, "For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." I don't believe that Paul is suggesting that we let our health go but rather that we put the right emphasis on the right things. That which we do for the Lord and for his cause is infinitely more important than anything we may do for ourselves here.
Jesus' words of wisdom concerning developing the proper perspective of life are recorded in Matthew 6:19-20 which reads, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: {20} But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:". Paul adds in I Timothy 6:7, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." Any believer should be able to see the logic and importance of using this life to prepare for eternity.
Jesus spoke this parable according to the Gospel of Luke 12:15-21
that we not put too much emphasis on this life. "And he said unto
them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
{16} And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a
certain rich man brought forth plentifully: {17} And he thought
within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room
where to bestow my fruits? {18} And he said, This will I do: I will
pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my
fruits and my goods. {19} And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast
much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink,
The Bible says in II Timothy 4:8 that those who use this life to prepare for eternity will receive a crown of righteousness. Work for the Lord is the most important work we can be doing.