But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?Luke 12:20 KJV
We often live under the quiet illusion that tomorrow belongs to us. We plan, we dream, and we defer, assuming time will always be on our side. Yet Jesus’ words in Luke 12:20 remind us of a truth we cannot ignore: “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” That divine interruption calls us to live a life of no regret, not in fear, but in faith and purpose.
Jesus shared a story about a man who built his life around earthly security. His barns overflowed, and his future seemed assured. With confidence, he looked at all he had and said, “Eat, drink, and be merry.” But God called him a fool—not because of his wealth, but because he had neglected his soul. Death came suddenly. His possessions stayed behind, but his soul faced eternity unprepared. We must learn from his mistake and resist the temptation to pursue what cannot save.
Choosing a life of no regret means we stop waiting for a perfect time to do what matters. Many delay prayer, forgiveness, or obedience, convinced they’ll have time later. But what if that time never comes? What if tomorrow never comes? Every breath we draw is a gift, an opportunity to respond to God’s call and live with eternal focus. When we neglect that reality, we risk filling our days with plans while leaving our souls empty.
God doesn’t aim to frighten us with this parable. He wants to awaken us. Rather than live in panic, we can walk with purpose. He calls us to live alert—aware of His presence, aligned with His Word, and attentive to our hearts. A life of no regret responds to God daily. It’s not hurried but intentional. Not anxious, but aware.
Paul the Apostle understood this well. Near the end of his life, he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). He faced death with peace because he had lived a life surrendered to God. His wealth wasn’t in barns, but in the souls he reached and the truth he proclaimed. He held nothing back and had no regrets.
Scripture offers another powerful reminder in James 4:14: “What is your life? It is even a vapour that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Though fleeting, our time holds great worth when we live it for God. We can’t extend our days, but we can choose what fills them. Each moment becomes sacred when we invest it in things that last.
So, ask yourself: if today were your final chapter, would you be ready? Have you made peace with God? Have you extended grace to those who need it? These questions don’t weigh us down; they lift our eyes. The greatest tragedy isn’t death—it’s living without purpose and dying without peace.
Living It Out
A life of no regret demands daily choices. We choose kindness over indifference, forgiveness over resentment, and prompt obedience over delay or disobedience. We invest in what eternity will honour. Love deeply. Serve willingly. Worship fully. Do today what you often postpone for tomorrow.
Live with open eyes and an open heart. Let each breath reflect grace and gratitude. When the end arrives—whether soon or far—you’ll stand with peace, not panic. Because you lived prepared, you lived for Christ.