Set your mind on things above,

not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE

Matthew 16:23
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Philippians 3:19
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Philppians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things.

Luke 12:15
And He said to them, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Matthew 6
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.f

SELECT COMMENTARY

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Set your affections on things above,…. For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them; for where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints' best things are above, their minds and affections should be there likewise; their contemplation should be on those things, and their conversation should be in heaven; nor should they regard anything but what is there, or comes from thence, for they belong not to this world, but to another and better country: their citizenship is in heaven, and there, in a short time, they must have their everlasting residence; and therefore should seek after, and highly prize and value heavenly things, and set their affections on them, and

not on things on the earth; not mind earth and earthly things, temporal enjoyments, riches, and honours; and though food and raiment, and the necessaries of life, are to be sought after, and cared and provided for, yet not with anxiety and perplexity of mind, in an over thoughtful and distressing manner; nor should the heart be set on those outward things, or happiness placed in the possession of them. Moreover, worldly lusts, the members which are on the earth, earthly pleasures that are sinful, may be here meant. Worldly lusts are to be denied, the deeds of the body are to be mortified, carnal desires are not to be gratified and indulged, provision is not to be made for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts; and particularly the vain philosophy of Jews and Gentiles, the traditions of the elders, the ceremonies of the law, which lay in earthly things, in worldly observances, the difference of meats and drinks, keeping of days, months, and years, new moons, feasts, and sabbath days; the rudiments of the world, the commandments and doctrines which were of the earth, and lay in not touching, tasting, and handling certain things that are on earth, and which perish with the using, as opposed to the doctrines of the Gospel, and ordinances of Christ, which are from above, and come from heaven, and have a spiritual and heavenly use: and which is the sense chiefly intended, though it is best to understand the words in their largest compass.

KIRK'S COMMENTARY

Paul is prompting and requesting that we don't major on the minors. He encourages us to focus on the big picture which from our current perspective is invisible. We are there but at the same time we are not. The good news is that with Christ on our side, we shall be. The most important things, the eternal ones, are invisible, somewhat hidden.

It is easy and natural to get burdened down by the cares of this world. The lists, duties, chores, maintenance, money (or lack thereof), cares, etc. We know we must handle these things but he wants us to put them in proper perspective. Yes, work is important because God had Adam working before in the garden before the great fall. Paul worked hard making tents and whatnot because he didn't want to be a burden. Yes money is critical. Jesus spoke of money more than a lot of things. Solomon and others had great wealth. We simply wants us to put first things first. God is a God of love and abundance to those who heed His ways but keep in mind, sometimes (probably more than we Americans realize), less is more. Simple is often better than complicated. Money and work can be carnal or spiritual. We can work unto the Lord and be an extension of worship or we can work unto greed and our selfish greed and pride. We can see money, the love of it, as the root of all evil or it can be a wonderful tool. It has been well said, we should love people and use money, not the other way around (loving money and using people).
We need to carry a proper perspective and value what God values as He has masterfully laid out in nature and His good book.

KIRK'S PRAYER

Lord, please guide and prompt me to keep a holy and healthy perspective of the things of life. Help me carry a proper balance and view of You and Your commands and preferences.