FOCUSING ON HEAVENLY—NOT EARTHLY THINGS?
The Word of God says, set your minds on things above where Christ is… not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2). Nevertheless, many focus on temporal earthy things rather than eternal heavenly things. However, the Lord said, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things [according to his will] shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 5:14-15).
CONSEQUENCES OF FOCUSING ON EARTHLY THINGS
ADAM AND EVE. God made Adam and Eve; and he told them not to eat the fruit of a particular tree lest they die. However, the devil used a serpent to deceived them into wanting to be like God and to think for themselves. They ate the fruit and died, being separated from the creator and sustainer of all life (Genesis 1:27; Gen. 3).
The Bible talks about people like Adam and Eve in Jesus’ time and our time, who focus more on things of the world more than on heavenly things. Evidently, the devil tempts peoples and masters them with whatever earthly things they may want more than they desire to please and obey the heavenly Father (Matthews 6:24). The Word of God says: all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
PARABLE OF A PROSPEROUS MAN. Jesus told a parable about a man, like many people today, who focused primarily on things of the world. He forgot about the Lord and heavenly things. He prospered in status and acquired so many things of earthly value he needed more space for it all. So, he decided to add places and ways to save and keep it. He had prepared to: “Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” But God said to him, you fool! “This very night your life is demanded from you.” (Luke 12:13-21). The Lord asks, what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY THINKING TODAY
As a result of Jesus coming into the world, today we have greater light from the Bible to focuson heavenly things, and to avoid stumbling into things of earthly darkness (John 8:12). The Bible reveals that Jesus is the light of the world. But it cautions us about some who would distort his Bible-light for selfish gain (Acts 20:30). However, the Bible informs us that “ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in Righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
FOCUSING ON THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF GOD: The Bible teaches us to focus primarily on things of the heavenly kingdom of God while we live on the earth; and God will add all other things, in accordance with his loving will (Matthew 6:33; 1 John 5:14-15). God delivers us from the dark kingdom of the devil and translates to the glorious kingdom of his Son Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). He fills us with his Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; 2:4, 38). He conforms us to the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29), who was willing to suffer and deny himself the things of this world to please the heavenly Father in redeeming us ( Luke 22:42; John 8:29). He prepares us to live with God forever in heaven (John 14:2-3).
FOCUSING ON EARTHLY PROSPERITY: The Bible also helps us to understand that some motivational and prosperity preachers distort the Word of God–They tell people what they want to hear about wealth, health and worldly prosperity, to draw away disciples to themselves (Acts 20:30; 2 Timothy 4:3). They hardly focus on telling people to seek first the kingdom of God as the Bible correctly stresses (2 Timothy 2:15). Instead, they selectively use and misinterpret scriptures to instruct their audience on seeking primarily for worldly prosperity and success. The following are examples of scriptures often distorted to teach people to focus on earthly rather than heavenly things–“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you.” And “He who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth.” (Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 65:16).
PREACHING INSPIRED BY HEAVEN: Jesus said, unless you repent of your sins you will perish (Luke 13:1-5). Nevertheless. the Word of God tells us, God does not want anyone to perish, but come to repentance. However, the Bible says, how can they repent without hearing and being convicted by the full gospel truth? (Romans 10:14-15; John 16:8-9).
PREACHING FOR EARTHLY GAIN: Prosperity preachers speak little, if anything, about repenting of many sins spoken of in scriptures, like Romans in 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; and Galatians 5:19-21. These preachers tell people what they want to hear, who do not want not give up their sinful lifestyles, and want to focus on earthly things (John 3:19; Timothy 4:3).
BENEFITS AND REWARDS OF HEAVENLY THINKING
Our heavenly Father, who loves us enough to give his only begotten Son to die for our sins, endeavors to help us avoid earthly pitfalls of the devil like prosperity thinking. He alerts us, as our Father, that in craving and seeking after wealth and earthly things, some people “have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10). And some have even lost their soul. God advises us, as his children, that focusing on godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6; Colossians 3:2).
Our Lord God, who gave his Son up for us, assures us that in denying ourselves as his disciple (Luke 9:23), and seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33; he will not withhold any good thing from us (Romans 8:32). And he will give us the desires of our heart, including eternal life with God in heaven (Psalm 37:4; John 14:2-3).
