We live in a time where medical technology can keep a body breathing almost indefinitely, but it can’t keep a soul alive. For all our talk about faith, heaven, and eternal life, the truth is that most believers today fight harder to stay in this world than they do to prepare for the next one.
I’ve asked pastors, Bible study groups, and self-professed Christians a simple question:
“If you believe what Scripture says, and you’re confident in your salvation, why do believers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to stay in a world that is corrupt and not of God?”
The answers are almost always the same:
“I want to be here for my kids.”
“I’m not ready to go yet.”
“I still have things I want to do.”
I have never heard someone say, “Because I want to stay and spread God’s Word a little longer,” or “Because there’s still work to do for His Kingdom.” It’s always personal. It’s always self.
God’s Appointed Time Doesn’t Bend
Scripture makes it plain:
“All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” — Psalm 139:16
“Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and set limits he cannot exceed.” — Job 14:5
God appoints every heartbeat. No treatment, no doctor, no procedure can change the moment He calls us home.
That doesn’t mean medicine is evil, it means our motives matter.
If we seek healing so we can serve God longer, that’s stewardship.
If we seek healing because we fear leaving, that’s self-preservation disguised as faith.
We’ve Replaced Eternal Perspective with Earthly Attachment
Jesus said,
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me… and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” — Matthew 10:37
That’s not cruelty, it’s clarity. He was exposing our hierarchy of love. Most believers today love the world more than the One who redeemed them from it. We cling to our comforts, our relationships, our routines, all the while saying we “trust God’s plan.”
But when that plan involves letting go, we panic.
Paul Got It Right
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21
Paul didn’t fear death; he feared wasting his life.
He understood that as long as God kept him here, it was for kingdom purpose, not personal comfort.
When his work was done, he was ready to go home. That’s real faith.
Modern Christianity’s Hidden Idol
We’ve made an idol out of longevity.
We worship the clock instead of the Creator.
We act like another day here is a victory instead of an opportunity to serve.
The early church didn’t beg to stay longer, they prayed to stay faithful until the end.
They weren’t suicidal; they were surrendered. There’s a difference.
The Hard Truth
If you believe Scripture, then you know this life is temporary. You know heaven is home. You know God’s timing is sovereign.
So why are we spending everything we have trying to delay what we claim to look forward to?
The answer is uncomfortable:
Because deep down, most people love this life more than they love their Lord.
The Real Question
When your time comes, and it will, will you be clinging to this world out of fear, or resting in the peace that your work here is done?
Because when faith stops fearing death, that’s when it finally starts living.
Scripture References:
Matthew 10:37–39 • Luke 14:25–27 • Philippians 1:21–24 • Job 14:5 • Psalm 139:16 • 1 John 2:15–17 • 1 Corinthians 6:19–20
Troy P Zehnder 