Set your mind on things above

We often place a great deal of value on the material world. How much of our lives do we spend working for material possessions which get replaced quickly, broken, lost or simply thrown away? Now having nice things and enjoying the pleasures of this world is not necessarily bad. It is the value we place on these objects. Do we spend more time working and worrying about the next iPhone, vehicle, upgrade of our home than we do about spreading the Gospel, sharing God’s Word, helping our neighbor, learning and loving the Bible?

Jesus says, “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). That last statement is so powerful. If you place so much value on the material world, your heart will be with those possessions. If your treasure is with God, His Word, and things above, that is where your heart will be.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Do not become so consumed by the world that your mind places more value on the world than learning and loving God’s Word and his perfect will for us. Do all for the Glory of God.

“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2). Our time here is short. We are here to worship our Lord Jesus Christ and do all for his Glory. Enjoying life and the nice things of the world is fine. We, however, must be mindful to set our hearts and treasure on things above, and not let the material world control, demand, and consume so much of our time and energy. Again, what you treasure, what you value most, is where your heart will be.