It's easy to get comfortable in this world when everything is going well for us. Instead of looking forward to spending eternity with God more than anything else, we can end up longing for more and more time to enjoy earthly gains – the next pay cheque, work milestone, or any number of worldly rewards.
Sometimes the most striking reminders that this world isn't our true home come when we're going through a difficult patch in our personal lives or when the world as a whole seems to be falling apart.
As Christians, it's necessary that we maintain an awareness that our true citizenship is in heaven with God whether we're enjoying life's every moment or extremely dissatisfied by each passing day.
Not belonging to this world doesn't mean that we completely detach ourselves from it or that we shouldn't take pleasure in many of the wonderful things that are connected to it – God puts us here for a reason and He blesses us. But it does mean that ultimately we should seek to derive our happiness from Him.
When we become preoccupied with worldly pursuits – fame, fortune and the like – under the illusion that such things will bring us fulfilment, we actually end up leading an empty, superficial life. The only way that we can live life to the full is through Christ (John 10:10).
What's more, earthly possessions fade away and worldly pursuits have to be constantly chased down. In contrast, Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). With Him we don't have to be relentlessly changing ourselves to fit in or running to catch up. He gives us rest and renewal which, unlike the alternatives, isn't temporary and doesn't come with ever-changing conditions.
Feeling distracted by worldly wealth? These Bible verses explain why you shouldn't be.
1 Peter 2:11 – "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul."
Titus 2:11-13 – "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ."
Luke 9:25 – "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?"
1 John 2:15-17 – "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever."
Luke 16:9-10 – "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."
