Have you ever heard it said of someone that they are “so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good?” I wonder who ever came up with that expression. It’s always been my understanding that to be truly heavenly minded makes you the best you can be here on earth. Having a genuine interest in the Kingdom of God is what motivates us to love all of mankind and be faithful stewards of the things God has entrusted to us here. It opens our eyes to the many ways that we can share the love of Christ with others and minister to them in practical ways. Being a blessing to one another is one way in which we store up treasure in heaven and prepare for Christ’s soon return.
It's true that Saul, (later the Apostle Paul), at first was blinded by the heavenly vision he received on the road to Damascus. However, he didn’t stay that way. Once prayed for, his eyes were opened, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent out on a mission to turn the world “right-side up.” A heavenly minded person sees the world through the eyes of Jesus and feels His heartbeat for the lost. Being spiritually minded gets our eyes off ourselves and sets us free from the selfish pursuit of “things.” We learn to live with eternity’s values in view.
Some people claim to be enlightened, but only to what they can get from God. They use their Christianity as a means of feeding the covetousness from which they’ve never fully been delivered. These are the ones who have inspired the perverted definition of heavenly mindedness… no earthly good to anyone but themselves. The idea of full surrender, daily sacrifice and washing one another’s feet are concepts that have never so much as entered their minds. They don’t realize that the blessings God gives us are never meant for us alone but are intended to be placed at His disposal to be used for His glory. The “heavenly light” has blinded them to the needs around them. Their “pie” is in the sky, whereas Jesus said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40)
In Luke chapter 16 Jesus tells the story of the “Unjust Steward.” It’s one of the few, if not the only place in the Bible where we are told to learn a lesson from the world. He tells of a dishonest steward (manager) who was suspected of embezzling his employer’s money. When called upon to give an account of his stewardship, he comes up with one last plan in an effort to secure his future before he is fired. While he still has the authority, he settles accounts with his boss’s debtors by drastically reducing the amount of goods they owe. In doing so, he not only wins their favor but creates possible opportunities for future employment. When the boss discovered what he had done, he commended the steward for his shrewdness even though the goods he used were not his own.
Jesus goes on to admonish us: “Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” (Luke 16:9 NLT) In other words, if we are wise, we will use the temporal, material things that God has blessed us with in this life to bless others and promote the furtherance of His Kingdom. By serving God in this way, He takes notice and grants us eternal rewards when this life is over - treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal. (Matt. 6:20)
Jesus goes on in this chapter to tell the story about a foolish rich man who continually hoarded his riches and deliberately ignored others in need. His end was tragic. He warns that we cannot serve both God and mammon; we have to make a choice. In every culture where the Gospel has been received, that society has benefited in numerous ways - hospitals, orphanages, food programs. The list goes on and on. When my eyes are truly opened, I will seek His wisdom as to how to use my life to enrich the lives of others in His name. I will understand that the true value of my possessions lies not in how they can benefit me, but rather how they can be used to serve God and others. This becomes my greatest joy … and that’s reward enough for me!
Prayer: Gracious Father, as I grow closer to You through Your Word and prayer, make my heart like Yours, and flow through my life to those in need around me.
