Life is a Vapor: Use Your Time to Prepare for Eternity

We’re only on this earth for a short time compared to what lies ahead.

“Nothing lasts forever.” That’s an old statement many of us have heard. While it’s partly true, it’s not completely accurate. Our time on this earth is short; how we spend it can and will affect us forever.

The day is coming when it will not matter how much money is in your bank account or how many cars are in your garage. It will not matter how prestigious the items you own, your skin color, or your political affiliation.

You may have started many charities or donated billions of dollars to them. People might praise you for being a good person because of your deeds. Your name could be on countless buildings in countless cities. Presidents and kings could award you medals and pay tribute to your name. Yet, all these things are temporary and will fade away in the blink of an eye.

God Sees the Heart

Even if you’ve preached a thousand sermons, if your heart wasn’t in the right place, God will know it. The Bible reminds us, “For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV).

Every word, thought, and action flows from the heart. As Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

Lessons on Time

When it comes to time, I often reflect on key lessons the Holy Spirit has taught me:

Time spent wisely is a righteous earning.
Both sin and righteousness require upkeep—choose what you spend time maintaining.
Make no time for foolishness.
In God’s presence, sin does not exist. Moments spent in sin are moments not spent in His presence.

“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16, KJV).

The Value of Time

Time is the most valuable resource we have. It’s more precious than money, gold, diamonds, rubies, or other treasures. Without time, none of these things would exist. Without time, the earth and all its inhabitants would cease to be.

Life moves quickly. A new year begins; before you know it, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas come and go. Days turn into months, months into years. You look back and realize how quickly time has passed. Loved ones you’ve lost seem like they were here yesterday, but years have passed.

The Bible compares life to a vapor: “For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14, KJV).

We are not promised tomorrow. “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1, KJV).

Eternity Awaits

Ultimately, the only thing that will matter is whether you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Heaven or hell—there is no in-between. As Jesus said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36, KJV).

We’re only on this earth for a short time compared to what lies ahead. Invest your time wisely. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21, KJV).

Remember This:

One day, technology and money will fail, and governments will fall. The present world will fail! The only thing that won’t fail is God’s Word. Spend time in ‘The Word’ like your life depends on it! Because it does!