COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
THEME OF THE DAY. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? First, please don’t send me your address in answer to the theme of today’s nugget. I am not asking about our physical dwelling. Next, the question is a heart issue, not a physical location issue. What we are trying to determine today is where our hearts, or our affections, are attached; in heaven or the earth. And this is extremely important for where our hearts are determines what is important in our lives, what motivates our lives, and what we give our time, talents and treasures to. Remember these words of Jesus – “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34)? Get into a conversation with someone or observe how a person uses their time and resources and we will quickly know where their devotion is located – the earth or heaven.
In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul tells us the proper place for Christians to orient all of life. Go back and read his strong emphasis that the Christian is not of this world, should not be focused on this world, and most certainly should not attach the love and affections in this world. In light of such clear instruction, how would we determine if our lives are in tune with the scripture as to where our lives are to be shaped – the world or heaven? Let’s ask just two questions and our answers will tell us with simple clarity if we are attached to this world in disobedience to the Lord or in heaven obeying the Lord.
Is more of your discretionary or “free time” given over to the investment of eternal and spiritual things or the passing things of this world like hobbies, recreation, and personal pursuits that are earthbound? I am not saying, “Don’t enjoy the world. Don’t have hobbies. Don’t ignore recreational activities.” But if our free time doesn’t have significant amount of time given over to the Lord and spiritual investments, we are attached to this world. Our affections are not in heaven as we are directed. Now the second question . . .
How is our money management when it comes to kingdom priorities? The Apostle Paul wrote of our giving to the Lord and His work, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Are we sacrificially giving of our money to the work of the Gospel and doing so cheerfully and sacrificially? It has been said, “You may learn a lot about a Christian’s heart by looking at their checkbook.” How we manage our money is a spiritual issue, not just physical. Christians, with hearts attached in heaven, are givers; cheerfully, sacrificially, and motivated by love for the Lord, His mission, and in the meeting of needs among His people. And if we are attached to heaven, that describes us.
So, where do we live? I hope heaven because that is where our lives already are located. That truth should shape how we live our lives in this temporary physical world.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for the way too many times I seem to forget my life is not to be focused on this world.”
QUOTE: “Christian, your home is in heaven. To live as if we are permanent dwellers on the earth is a contradiction.”