How Long Should We Want to Live on Earth?

Psalm 91:14-16 says that God will provide those who love Him with a long life and salvation. This suggests that we should want a long life, both here and in heaven.

But how much earthly life? The Apostle Paul was torn between wanting to be with Jesus in heaven, which he acknowledged as ideal, but realized that by continuing to live on earth, he could complete his labor on Christ’s behalf—something he felt compelled to do (Phil 1:21-24).

Not many of us will labor as Paul did, but like him, each of us has an earthly purpose given by God to fulfill. “For we are God’s’ workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). This passage prompts us to ask: what good works has God given us to perform? What are the talents He’s given us to use in His service? Jesus teaches us in a parable not to bury our talents in a hole but to use them for His benefit so that when we meet Him, He will say, “Well done good and faithful servant. Come and share in your master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:14-30).

In answer to the title question above, we should want to live long enough, and well enough, to accomplish the purpose God has created for us on earth. Doing so should greatly improve our chances to enjoy the eternal happiness of heaven.