ONE MONTH TO LIVE
Key Takeaways
• None of us know how many days we have left
• Earthly wealth and status have no value in eternity
• How we live now determines where we spend eternity
• The greatest investment we can make is helping others turn to God
Imagine going to the doctor for what you think is a routine visit. Nothing serious, just another appointment to check on your health.
Then the doctor walks back into the room, sits down, and tells you something that changes everything: “You have one month to live.”
What would you do? Where would you go? Who would you call? How would you spend those final days?
After the initial shock and heartbreak, something interesting would probably happen. Your priorities would suddenly become crystal clear, and the things that seemed important yesterday wouldn’t matter nearly as much anymore.
Scripture reminds us of this reality in Hebrews 9:27, which tells us that it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.
And Psalm 90:12 gives us a powerful prayer: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
The truth is, none of us know exactly how many days we have left and my job today is to help you leave this blog post with the mindset of someone who understands that our time here is limited.
And Jesus tells a story that brings that reality into sharp focus.
He Didn’t Bring His Riches
In Luke 16, Jesus tells the story of a rich man who lived every day in luxury. He wore expensive clothing and enjoyed everything wealth could buy.
Meanwhile, outside his gate was a poor man named Lazarus. Lazarus was sick, covered in sores, and desperate just for scraps of food from the rich man’s table.
Eventually both men died. Lazarus was carried to a place of comfort with Abraham, and the rich man, found himself in torment. And suddenly all the things that once defined his life were gone.
The wealth. The luxury. The influence. The comfort. None of it came with him. In that moment, he realized that he had spent his entire life accumulating things that had no eternal value.
I remember when my mother passed away and I began taking her belongings out to the car. That moment reminded me how temporary everything we hold onto really is. And I need you to remember that matter how much we accumulate in this life, eventually someone else is going to carry it away in a box. With her belongings in my arms, it crushed me to fully realize that you can’t take any of it with you.
Which raises an important question for all of us: Are we spending our lives chasing things that have no eternal value?
What Does Your Life Reveal About Your Priorities?
One of the most revealing parts of this story is how the rich man behaves even after death, as it’s obvious that old habits die hard.
Even while suffering in torment, the rich man is still giving orders. He asks Abraham to send Lazarus to bring him water. When that request is denied, he asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers.
Here’s something interesting that I noticed while reading through this passage. Even now, while literally in hell, he still sees Lazarus as someone beneath him, someone whose job is to serve him. His mentality in death reveals how he lived.
And that forces us to ask an uncomfortable question: Do we see people as individuals to love and serve, or as people who exist to serve us?
Jesus said something very clear about this: “The greatest among you shall be your servant.”
Understand that God’s kingdom works very differently from the world’s system, as greatness is not measured by how many people serve you, but by how many people you serve.
Clarity Came Too Late
As the conversation continues, the rich man suddenly begins thinking about someone other than himself, and asks Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers so they won’t end up in the same place.
For the first time, he has clarity. He realizes that there is more to life than food, clothing, money, and status. He realizes that eternity is real. And he realizes that the choices people make in this life determine what comes next. But by the time he reaches this understanding, it is too late.
In my mind, when I read this passage, I often imagine that we are like the rich man’s brothers. How many people who have already passed on would love the chance to send us a message today? How many would say, “Turn to God while you still have time.”
The truth is that you still have the opportunity the rich man no longer has. You still have the chance to run your race well. Because there are really only two things you take with you into eternity: Your soul. And the souls of the people you helped turn toward God.
Run Your Race With the Finish Line in Mind
I never had the opportunity to formally run track, but I had friends who did and they used to tell me I should have transferred to a school that offered it.
Back at that time, I felt like I could fly. And when I ran, I never stared at my feet. I never focused on the crowd watching. I didn’t even look at the people racing beside me. I kept my eyes on the finish line. Because I knew something simple but powerful: you can’t win the race unless you actually reach the finish line.
The same principle applies to life. There are so many distractions around us. Opinions, comparisons, competition, the endless pursuit of more. But if we allow those things to control our focus, we will miss what actually matters.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24–26: “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win… I run with purpose in every step.”
Remember that you get one opportunity to run this race. One life. One chance. One finish line.
So run with purpose. Run with eternity in mind. Run to win. Because the clock is ticking and everyday you live is one less day you have.
Watch the Full Message: “One Month to Live.”
This teaching originally comes from the Plain English with Pastor Jay YouTube channel, where we explore biblical leadership, spiritual growth, and practical ways to live out God’s truth.
For more leadership and faith-based teaching like this, explore the resources available inside the Plain English Academy. You can also learn more about the mission behind Plain English on the About page or read additional articles on the Plain English Blog.
Churches and organizations interested in leadership or spiritual development training can also book Pastor Jay to speak.
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