This is an important question for Christians to consider. On one hand, we are called to set our minds on things above and store up treasures in heaven (Colossians 3:2, Matthew 6:20). However, we are also called to love our neighbor, do good works, and make a positive impact on the world around us (Matthew 22:39, Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:16). So what does the Bible teach about balancing heavenly mindedness and earthly good?
The danger of being too heavenly minded
There certainly is a danger of becoming so focused on the afterlife that we neglect our responsibilities here and now. The Bible warns against idleness, self-absorption, and disregard for the needs of others (2 Thessalonians 3:6-12, Philippians 2:4, James 1:27). When our thoughts are only on heavenly realities and worshipping God, we can easily forget that God cares deeply for the human needs right in front of us.
Jesus addressed this directly in his parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Those who failed to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned faced judgment, regardless of any heavenly sentiments they may have expressed. James says faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Just believing the right doctrines is not enough. We are called to put our faith into action by doing good deeds that benefit others.
The apostle John makes it clear that those who say they love God but fail to love their brother or sister are deceiving themselves (1 John 4:20). You cannot claim to love God while ignoring the very people God calls you to love and serve. So it is very possible to become so fixated on heaven that you fail to do any earthly good.
Our calling to do earthly good
Doing good works on earth is not an optional extra for Christians. It is an essential part of our calling and identity in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” The entire reason we are saved is so we can do the good works God has planned for us.
Jesus went about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). As his followers, we are called to emulate his servant heart by meeting needs, righting wrongs, and spreading blessing wherever we go. Jesus said let your light shine so that people see your good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). The good things we do should cause people to praise God, not us.
Doing earthly good includes both physical acts like feeding the poor and spiritual acts like making disciples. Jesus called us to minister to people’s natural needs and their spiritual needs (Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 25:35-36). We care for bodies and souls. Our earthly good is meant to have an eternal impact.
A balanced perspective
The healthiest biblical approach is to be both heavenly minded and earthly good. We set our hearts and minds on things above without neglecting the good deeds God prepared for us (Colossians 3:2, Ephesians 2:10). Our heavenly focus motivates us and enhances our earthly service. And our earthly works remind us that God’s kingdom has both present and future dimensions.
Paul modeled this beautifully. He spoke of longing for heaven and being with Christ (Philippians 1:23). But he also poured himself out in sacrificial service and extensive good works for the sake of others (1 Corinthians 9:19-23, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). He lived with a foot in both the heavenly and earthly realms.
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We are to pray and work for the kingdom of heaven to become a reality here on earth through good works. God’s heavenly will needs earthly legs.
Warnings against overcorrecting
In trying to correct an unbalanced heavenly mindedness, some believers go too far the other way. They overcorrect and become so earthly minded they are of no heavenly good. Service becomes their salvation. Works become their worship. Social justice eclipses personal holiness. These are dangerous distortions that the Bible warns against.
We should be very careful about creating a works-based pathway to heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says salvation is by grace through faith apart from works. Titus 3:5 declares God saves us not by works of righteousness but by his mercy. Overemphasizing earthly good can lead to a works-righteousness theology that contradicts scripture.
We also need to ensure our service flows out of intimacy with Christ. Apart from abiding in Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Good deeds not rooted in relationship with Jesus will lack supernatural fruitfulness. We must guard against making social justice a replacement for the gospel.
So in our zeal to avoid being too heavenly minded, we must be cautious not to overcorrect in the other direction either. Balance is key. We must hold firmly to biblical truth and remember that the spiritual precedes and motivates the physical (Matthew 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:8).
Examples of balanced living
Throughout church history we find inspiring examples of Christians who cultivated both a vibrant heavenly mindedness and an active earthly service.
George Mueller cared for over 10,000 orphans during his life, while also being known as a man of prayer and strong faith in God’s provision. Amy Carmichael established a mission in India that rescued thousands of girls from human trafficking. But she also wrote books like Gold Cord that stirred many toward deeper devotion to Christ.
William Wilberforce tirelessly advocated for the abolition of slavery in England. But he was also a committed Christian who wrote a bestselling book that affirmed biblical doctrines and basic Christianity. For Wilberforce, the two were connected – his vertical relationship with God empowered his horizontal efforts at social reform.
C.S. Lewis was both a renowned Christian apologist who explained and defended the faith, as well as a prolific fiction writer who creatively illustrated gospel themes. His theoretical writings were matched by practical works urging believers to apply their faith to real life.
In our own day, Tim Keller pastors a church in New York that serves the needy and plants new congregations, while also writing books on theology, apologetics and culture. He engages both individual hearts and society as a whole with the claims of Christ.
These examples demonstrate that it is indeed possible to maintain both a Godward focus and an outward focus. The key lies in staying closely connected to Christ and walking in obedience to his Spirit. As Paul declared in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” When our heavenly mindedness overflows into earthly good, God receives the glory.
Guidance from Ecclesiastes
The book of Ecclesiastes provides helpful perspective on how to live in light of eternity without neglecting present duties. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 says, “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.” This affirms experiencing joy and doing good in our earthly labors.
Yet the Teacher also reminds us that God “has set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We have an inborn longing for the eternal, which keeps us from finding ultimate purpose in temporal pleasures. Ecclesiastes prepares us to live wisely now, while looking ahead to final judgment (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
This theme continues in Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, which urges us to enjoy life yet remember God’s judgment. “Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart… Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” Enjoy life’s gifts but redeem the time, for there is no work in the grave.
Ecclesiastes also warns against idle escapism and neglecting work and relationships now in hopes of gaining righteousness (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 9:10). Escapism accomplishes no earthly good. At the same time, workaholism for merely earthly goals is futile in light of eternity.
The Teacher counsels balance – work hard, enjoy life, but keep everything in perspective of eternity. Remember your Creator in the days of your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). That is wise living. With God at the center, we can be heavenly minded and earthly good.
Cultural engagement without compromise
In today’s culture, Christians face the challenge of engaging society without compromising biblical truth. Issues like poverty, abortion, marriage, and critical theory ethics compel believers to interact with and serve our communities. So how do we stay grounded in God’s word while lovingly meeting real needs?
First, our good works must flow out of transformed hearts and right beliefs, not just humanitarian sentiment (Luke 6:43-45). Before feeding 5,000, Jesus first taught them truth from God (Mark 6:34-44). Truth must shape mercy.
Second, our works should point people to Jesus, not just to temporary benefits. After feeding the 5,000, Jesus urged seeking eternal food that the Son of Man gives (John 6:26-27). Meeting felt needs can create opportunities to address deeper spiritual needs.
Third, while engaging important justice issues, we should remember that only the gospel and new creation in Christ provide the solution to sin, suffering and brokenness. Social reform cannot redeem but it can relieve suffering in keeping with Jesus’ servant ministry of doing good.
Fourth, partnership and financial support of ministries should be carefully evaluated so we do not assist those who contradict biblical truth, twist the gospel, or neglect evangelism along with social concern. We want to further God’s kingdom, not our own agendas.
Fifth, our good works must be coupled with holy living so the Gospel is adorned, not discredited, by our example. Personal integrity gives credibility to public engagement (1 Peter 3:15-17).
When heavenly mindedness overflows into earthly good, great Kingdom impact results. May God give us wisdom to be in the world but not of the world as we serve others.
Our true heavenly home
Sometimes in our zeal to do good works here on earth, we can subtly begin viewing this fallen world as our true home. But Scripture reminds us this world is passing away, and we await an eternal city designed and built by God (1 Corinthians 7:31, Hebrews 13:14).
In describing Abraham’s faith, Hebrews 11:13-16 declares: “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth…Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”
As believers, we too are foreigners, exiles and temporary residents in this life (1 Peter 2:11). Our citizenship and home is in heaven, not on earth (Philippians 3:20). We are pilgrims passing through this world on our way to eternity. The things of earth grow strangely dim in light of our heavenly dwelling.
Knowing this eternal perspective gives meaning and motivation to our earthly labors. While we cannot escape living in a Genesis 3 fallen world, we can look forward to an eternal Genesis 2 world restored and made new. Revelation 21 describes the coming New Jerusalem as the place where God makes his dwelling with man. Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus!
Though doing earthly good, we always live with one foot in heaven and the other on earth. This world is not our final stop but only a temporary layover. So we serve Christ by serving others during our short time here, while never forgetting our true destination in glory.
Conclusion
In examining the Bible, we find a both/and approach is healthiest: We should be both heavenly minded and earthly good. Setting our minds on things above doesn’t negate doing good works below. In fact, a God-centered heavenly perspective enhances and empowers our earthly service.
An other-worldly escapism that neglects earthly duties is unbiblical and wrong. But so is an overcorrection into a salvation by service or works righteousness. As in all things, balance and wisdom are needed – hold fast to sound doctrine while also living out the gospel through good deeds that benefit others now and for eternity.
Staying close to Christ is key, as both our heavenly hopes and earthly actions must flow out of relationship with Him. When heavenly mindedness overflows into earthly good, God is glorified, believers are strengthened, others are served, and gospel witness shines brightly.