PM Encouraging Words-No Earthly Good?

From The Active Word

And we also ought to lay down our lives... 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)

“You’re so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good!”

Ever hear that expression before? Of course you have, because there’s often a dynamic that takes place when it comes to the balance between earth and eternity. Here’s what can happen: People can become so fully focused on the things of eternity that they lose touch with their responsibilities in the here and now.

That’s the exact opposite effect eternity is supposed to have on us. While God wants us to have an eternal perspective, He also wants us actively engaged with the world around us. The hope of Heaven shouldn’t render us useless but rather make us more and more useful.

What the world needs are people who are more sacrificial and less selfish. A heavenward focus here on earth ought to inspire an attitude of sacrifice. It’s people who realize that Heaven is awaiting them who are able to loosen their grip on the things of this life. They can gladly sacrifice now because they’re fully assured of what God will give them later.

Now, what would happen if everyone headed for Heaven really took hold of this truth and applied it in a radical way? What if they became more sacrificial and less selfish? What if they started serving others instead of themselves? What if they started setting aside their own rights and privileges in order to make things better for the people around them?

You already know the answer. Their lives would become much more useful because, as Jesus taught us, our lives become most useful when we sacrificially lay them down (John 12:25). A healthy perspective of Heaven can always be measured by a sacrificial attitude here on earth. May we be filled with both!