“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
-Colossians 3:2
Where does my heart lie? What do I feel passionate about? What occupies my thoughts? How do I spend my free time? How do I spend my money?
I believe these are questions we need to ask ourselves occasionally. The answers to these questions will help us determine where we set our affections. Are we focused on the things on the earth or the things above? As Christians, we need to focus on the things above, or things that will deepen our walk with God. In other words, we need to be heavenly minded.
Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” While I understand the point Holmes was trying to make, I do not agree that being totally heavenly minded would make us of no earthly good. I believe being heavenly minded is to care about the things God cares about. Does God care about earthly good? Of course.
The Gospel of John tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). If God didn’t care about earthly good, why did he sacrifice his Son out of love for the world?
Caring about the things God cares about means that we will work for the eternal benefit of those around us. We will sacrifice our time, our talents, and our money to encourage and support others. We will focus on the needs of those around us, rather than on our own needs. We will desire to be known by our love, rather than by our bank account, our intellect, or our physical appearance. We will live a life of service rather than selfishness, of giving rather than greediness.
May we heed the words of Paul, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
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