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Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., is credited with the quote, “Some people are so focused on heaven that they are ineffective on earth.” This sentiment was also reflected in a song by Johnny Cash: “You’re shining your light, and shine it you should, / But you’re so preoccupied with heaven that you’re ineffective on earth” (“No Earthly Good,” from The Rambler, 1977). The critique that certain Christians are “so focused on heaven that they are ineffective on earth” is a memorable expression, but is it justified?
The allegation that some Christians prioritize heaven to the extent that they neglect earthly matters is based on a misconception, suggesting that love for God diminishes one’s ability or concern for worldly affairs. Being “heavenly minded” does not lead to detachment from the world, disregard for current issues, or a lack of involvement. On the contrary, a heavenly focus inspires efforts to please God, who has assigned us tasks in this world.
Dedicated, heaven-focused Christians have consistently addressed social, environmental, and political challenges of their time. Many of the most influential figures in history were Christians whose faith spurred them to action. As C. S. Lewis articulates in Mere Christianity, “If you study history, you will discover that the Christians who made the greatest impact on the present world were precisely those who thought most about the next” (HarperCollins, 2001, p. 134).
Committed Christians like John Newton and William Wilberforce worked tirelessly to end the slave trade in England. Individuals such as missionary Amy Carmichael, philanthropist George Mueller, and journalist Robert Raikes rescued endangered children, established orphanages, and founded schools. History is replete with Christians who have made a positive difference in the world. Their actions were not solely driven by the need for social change; rather, their unwavering faith compelled them to do what they did.
Believers in Jesus have a heavenly focus. It is the very fact that Christians are “heavenly minded” that motivates them to assist others while sharing the life-changing truth of the gospel.
The Bible emphasizes that Christians should concentrate on heavenly matters: “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” «while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.», (2 Corinthians 4:18). When Christians focus on Christ, they gain an eternal perspective, and they are of significant “earthly good” as their faith influences their lives and the lives of others (Colossians 3:2;Hebrews 12:1-3).
Scripture teaches that good deeds naturally accompany a person’s faith in Jesus Christ «Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. », (James 2:18). Christians serve the Lord and positively influence the world because of their hope of eternity with Him «Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.», (1 Corinthians 15:58). True religion involves assisting orphans and widows in their distress «Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.», (James 1:27).
1:27), treating others as we would like them to treat us «And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. », (Luke 6:31), giving to those in need (Proverbs 19:17;Acts 20:35), conducting business honestly «Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. », (Leviticus 19:11), showing compassion to animals «He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: But he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. », (Proverbs 14:21), and declaring freedom to those enslaved by sin «In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; », (Ephesians 1:7). A truly heavenly-minded Christian is one who lives out their faith in service to the Savior and desires to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God «He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? », (Micah 6:8).
It is the earthly-minded who achieve nothing of eternal worth. Those who are earthly-minded belong to the world and pursue its desires, which are not from God «Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. », (1 John 2:15). Being earthly-minded is short-sighted: “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives.
“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:17). It is those who are focused on serving Christ and bringing Him glory who will make a lasting impact on earth and for eternity (see Matthew 6:19-21).
