All my life I heard the phrase, “So heavenly-minded that you’re no earthly good.” Even recently it has come up in some of the blogs I read.
So, is it good teaching? helpful instruction? valid warning?
No!
Anyone who is more heaven-minded than earth-struck will be doing good!
Consider this story. “As they were traveling along, Jesus went into a village. A woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary. Mary sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to him talk. But Martha was upset about all the work she had to do. So she asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to help me.’ The Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha! You worry and fuss about a lot of things. There’s only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42 God’s Word).
Get this. Martha was practising hospitality, one of the highest ideals for Followers of God. (See Hebrews 13:2, for example).
But what was Mary, her sister, doing? Her mind was on heavenly things being taught by Jesus, and Jesus said that this was more important than hospitality!
Heavenly-minded people serve Jesus radically. They have such a close relationship with Jesus that they are less likely to get distracted by culture or human expectations. They serve the world and all its people, not just certain ones. They invite people to the Saviour, not a group. They spend time in meditation and prayer instead of rushing madly around going to meetings and working on buildings so much.
So I am screaming from the housetops (well, actually, writing in a blog) that this saying may suit religion, but it cannot suit the Redeemer.
“Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position. Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things”
(Colossians 3:1-2 God’s Word).
20 responses to “Heavenly-minded and No Earthly Good”
nopew
August 12th, 2013 at 19:18
Thank you for the link. I had only a few minutes to look at your blog, and it looks interesting. Hopefully later I can get into it more, but I am swamped now and have to restrain my blogging for awhile.
Peace
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nopew
August 12th, 2013 at 04:29
Thanks for sharing that some pastors have got it! And thanks for sharing that and your kind word.
Peace
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nopew
August 12th, 2013 at 04:28
What a wonderful observation, that the heavenly takes a bit of getting used to, and then turns into Wow! Thanks for your additional insight.
Peace
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Kris
August 12th, 2013 at 01:38
The less I find myself preoccupied with the eternal the less I am of any value to the temporal. At times I felt that I was being washed away into another world that didn’t translate into today’s, but the farther I get swept up, the more that becomes obviously untrue. I enjoyed your post!
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inthepottershands988
August 11th, 2013 at 22:22
I hear my pastor saying the same thing! If we were really heavenly minded, we would be doing some earthly good. Well, said!!!! Loved this!!!
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nopew
August 11th, 2013 at 16:27
Thank you. May God smile on your kindness.
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Heidi Viars
August 11th, 2013 at 16:14
I pray for strength for you today!
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nopew
August 11th, 2013 at 16:08
Nice to have you visit and appreciate your kind words. I am swamped at work right now, but I hope I can make time at some point to visit your site. Wish I could do it now, but my human limits are showing!
Peace
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Heidi Viars
August 11th, 2013 at 15:40
So appreciate your post/blog! Thanks to Tami’s reblog I was able to find you 🙂 Blessings to you on your journey!
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nopew
August 11th, 2013 at 12:57
Thank you. Appreciate the metaphor!
Peace
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lessonsbyheart
August 11th, 2013 at 10:37
Reblogged this on Lessons by Heart and commented:
The Word includes milk, meat, and manna. No Pew manages to serve it all on a regular basis. Enjoy this article, and then help yourself to his pantry…there’s something for everyone! \o/
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msinop1
August 9th, 2013 at 10:08
🙂
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nopew
August 8th, 2013 at 21:42
I am humbled by your enthusiastic comments.
Peace
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nopew
August 8th, 2013 at 21:36
Robin, thanks for the comment “more earthly good” – I like the more! Rather than rising to the occasion, rising to Jesus would benefit us greater. Good thoughts.
Peace
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nopew
August 8th, 2013 at 21:33
I find this so often, that the very thing put on my heart is something one of my blogging community posts! I take it as affirmation of the thought that came, and of the validity of the spiritual companionship one finds through blogging.
Peace
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msinop1
August 8th, 2013 at 16:45
Love, Love Love your writing, your support and your non sugar coated gospel! 100% what we need!!!!! Congrats! Awesome Blog!!
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Robin Claire
August 8th, 2013 at 12:53
Hi David,
Great post! I like it!! and agree with this whole-heartedly. I try my best to put my main focus on Jesus and God, and I feel like I am more earthly good because Jesus and God are where my heart is. Because I look at life from God’s point of view, I feel like I [sometimes] rise above this earth-full-of-sin and, because of this, maybe help others to rise above it too. But where do we rise to? To Jesus and God in heaven.
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kerrichronicles
August 8th, 2013 at 08:26
This topic was actually on mind this morning, as I answered emails, Nopew. Thank you for posting this.
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nopew
August 5th, 2013 at 18:30
Thank you. When we write we “cast our bread upon the water” and never know where the current will take it. I am humbled by your interest and “help” to spread this important message – Good News!
Peace
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lessonsbyheart
August 5th, 2013 at 14:57
I am always flabbergasted when a Christian slams another one for being “too heavenly minded.” When I’m away from home and family, my thoughts frequently turn to them. When I meet people, I tell them about my family. I miss my home.
So it is with heaven. Perhaps this is one of the blessings of having someone we dearly love move there…it captures our curiosity and causes the imagination to work overtime as we wonder what they’re doing. This was the case for me when my mom moved there.
Thanks for screaming from the housetops – you’ll get to do so again on Sunday when I reblog this article, if you don’t mind!
\o/
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