Seek the Things Above

One further aspect of living in the Spirit is having a correct priority between the things of this world and the things of God (and heaven). An untold amount of anxiety, stress, worry, and grief is caused by overly prioritizing and seeking the transitory riches of this world[1] instead of seeking God and His eternal, spiritual riches. ^[2]

OUR CITIZENZHIP IS IN HEAVEN

As a “child of God” (also “sons of God”; see Joh 1:12–13; 11:52; Act 17:29; Rom 8:14–16, 19, 21; 9:8; Php 2:15; 1Jn 3:1–2, 10; 5:2; Mat 5:9; 12:50; Luk 20:36; Gal 3:26; 4:1–7; 1Pe 1:13–16) living in the Spirit, we are to “keep seeking the things above, where Christ is [in heaven], seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:1–9; cf. Php 4:8; Gal 6:7–8; Jas 4:4; Rom 14:10–12; 2Co 4:18; Rev 2:23; 20:12–13; 22:12). It is further written that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Php 3:20). You should see that you have new desires, not for the lusts, fame, fortune, and power “of this world”[3] but for “the things above” (Col 3:1–2) and the things “of Christ” (Mar 9:41; Rom 1:1; 10:17; 15:16, 29; 1Co 2:16; 6:15; 11:1; cf. 2Ti 4:10; Mat 6:19–21, 24), as He promises to “give you the desires of your heart” (Psa 37:3–6; cf. 2Ti 3:12; 2Th 1:11; Heb 11:16; 1Pe 3:10). For example, you should now desire “to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2Pe 3:14; cf. Eph 1:4; 5:27; Col 1:22; Act 24:16; 1Co 1:8; Php 1:10; 2:15; 1Th 5:23; Jud 24; Rev 14:5) more than you desire (and lust after) the things “of this present world” (2Ti 4:10; cf. Tit 2:12; 2Pe 2:10, 18). It is an amazing transition to watch happen in oneself. The more you seek the things of God, the less you will desire the things of this world, which are perishing.

As you continue to “abide in Christ and He in you” (paraphrase),[4] you will find that your desires actually start to change; you begin to want less the things of this world (fame, power, fortune, etc.) and more the things above, “where Christ is” (Col 3:1). That is why it is written:

Delight yourself in the Lord;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday. – Psa 37:4–6

And even further, not only does Christ give you desires for things above, but He also gives you the wisdom, strength, power, and might to obtain them. How amazing is that!

STORING UP TREASURES (MATERIALISM)

Next, we see it written:

Do not 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 do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. – Mat 6:19–24

Scripture is warning us here that excessive care and concern for the material things of this world (i.e., “treasures,”[5] materialism) can pose a great risk (1Ti 6:10) to your eternal salvation (Mat 6:19–24; 13:7, 22; Mar 4:7, 18–19; 10:25; Luk 3:14; 8:7, 14; 9:25; 12:15–21, 33; 16:13; 18:18–25; Act 20:35; Php 4:11; 1Ti 3:3; 6:6–10, 17; 2Ti 4:10; Heb 13:5; Jas 5:1–6; Pro 11:4, 28; 23:4; 28:6, 11). Those material things (and the relentless lust and pursuit of them) can hinder your ability to focus on God and thus steer you back into sinful behavior and “idol” worship (see Act 15:20, 29; 17:16; 21:25; 1Co 12:2; 2Co 6:16; 1Th 1:9; 1Jn 5:21; Rev 2:14, 20; 9:20). We are not to idolize the things “of this world” (money, wealth, fame, power, possessions, etc.), for they are “snares” (see Rom 11:9; 1Ti 3:7; 6:9; 2Ti 2:26) that can draw us away from following Christ. Anything we put above God is an idol to us.

“The love of money” (1Ti 3:3; 6:6–10; Heb 13:5; cf. Mat 6:19–24; 13:7, 22; 19:16–24; Mar 4:7, 18–19; 10:25; Luk 3:14; 8:7, 14; 9:25; 12:15–21, 33; 16:13; 18:18–25; 22:3–6; 18:24–30; Act 5:1–11; 16:19; 20:35; Php 4:11; 6:6–10; 1Ti 3:8; 6:9–10, 17; 2Ti 3:2; 4:10; Tit 1:11; Jas 5:1–6; 1Pe 5:2; 2Pe 2:2–3; Pro 11:4, 28; 23:4; 28:6, 11; 2Ki 5:20–27; Eze 33:31; Ecc 5:10), in particular, is called out as something to be very wary of (i.e., beware of relentlessly pursuing it and “trusting in the abundance of his riches” instead of God, see Psa 49:5–6; 52:7; cf. 1Ti 6:17; Php 4:19; Jas 1:9–11; Psa 62:10; Pro 11:4, 28; Job 31:24; Jer 48:7; 49:4).[6]^, [7] Again, we must “learn” to be thankful and “content” with what we have and in all circumstances (Php 4:10–13; 1Ti 6:6–10; Heb 13:5; cf. 2Co 12:10; cf. Luk 12:15–21; Eph 5:3; Col 3:5; Rom 1:29).[8]

Wayne Jackson writes on Matthew 6:19–21:[9]

Material things are necessary in life, but when one “lays up” treasures for selfish purposes he exposes himself to sore disappointments, for wealth degenerates and thieves prey upon the prosperity of others (vv. 19–20). How one uses his material resources is an index to the condition of his heart (v. 21).

And further on Matthew 6:25–34:

Closely connected with materialism is the baggage of anxiety (worry). The wrong type of worry is both sinful and destructive. (a) Worry is illogical. Life is more than the material; one’s attention should be focused toward heaven, not wallowing in frustration concerning temporal things. Further, if God takes care of his lesser creatures, won’t he see to the needs of his people? (vv. 25–26; 28–30). (b) Anxiety is futile; it changes nothing. It adds neither height of stature nor length of life (v. 27). (c) Worry reflects a weak faith. Being obsessed over material things to the point of distraction partakes more of the spirit of heathenism than it does confidence in God (vv. 31–32). Accordingly, the true disciple: (a) must “seek” (an obligatory action); (b) “first” (priority); (c) the “kingdom” of God (the object); and (d) the necessities of life will be supplied (v. 33; cf. Psa. 37:25). Do not fret over the future; handle your problems one day at a time (v. 34).

For where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.—“Heart” here means the affection and includes the thought and volition; our hearts go with our treasures. The heart is spoken of in the scriptures as the seat of affections; the thoughts, feelings, and will power are all involved in the “heart”; it is the seat and center of man’s life, especially the desires and aspirations, out of which are the issues of life. (Pro. 4:23) If we lay up our treasures on earth, our desires and aspirations, and our life will be of the earth.

Here are some other helpful verses:

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud. – Pro 16:19

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it.

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred. – Pro 15:16–17

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. – Jas 4:1–4

CHAPTER PRAYER

Holy Father in heaven, hallowed be Your great name! Father, give me the desire to seek and prioritize the things above, where You are and where Christ is. Help me not to lust after, chase, and pursue the things of this world, which are passing away. Help me to understand fully, deep down, that You will always provide for my needs and the needs of other Christians. Help me to steer clear, in particular, of the love of money, as I do not want to come short of my ultimate goal, which is to be with You and Your Christ, Jesus, in heaven forever. Amen.