There was a man named George W. Truett who pastored the same congregation in Dallas, Texas for 47 years. His humble, spiritually-simple style had earned him the reputation of being a man after God’s own heart.
Pastor Truett was invited over for dinner to the home of a very wealthy man. After the meal, the host led him to a place where they could get a good view of the surrounding area. Pointing to the dozens of oil wells punctuating the landscape, the rich host boasted, “Twenty-five years ago I had nothing. But now, as far as you can see, it’s all mine.” Looking in the opposite direction at his sprawling fields of grain, he said, “That’s all mine.” Turning east toward huge herds of cattle, he bragged, “They’re all mine.” Then pointing to the west at some beautiful commercial structures, he exclaimed, “That too is all mine.”
The rich man paused, expecting Pastor Truett to compliment him on his great success. The pastor put his hand on the man’s shoulder, smiled and said, “That’s truly impressive.” But then with his other hand he pointed upwards and asked, “How much do you have in that direction?” The man hung his head and confessed, “Preacher, I’ve been so busy, I haven’t given that much thought.”
Jesus said,
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mark 8:36)
We all need to make adjustments in our priorities at times. Sometimes we feel like that rich man, and have to confess we haven’t thought much in heaven’s direction. But there are also adjustments needed where we’re thinking about heaven so much, that we forget to think about earth, and the souls living here.
Oliver Wendell Holmes once said that some Christians are “so heavenly minded that they’re no earthly good.” Notwithstanding this truth, I believe it is not possible to be truly heavenly minded and not be of any earthly good. Actually it’s when we adjust our thoughts on the things above, that rather than becoming more disconnected and aloof from the world around us, we become even more aware and engaged.
C.S. Lewis states this so well…
If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)
There are people all around you who are gaining the world at the expense of their souls. They are completely dominated with earthly goals and pressures. And they love it when someone is impressed with their successes and accomplishments. But here lies a great opportunity, and nobody could help you better with it than the old preacher from Texas. Pastor Truett would say,
Go ahead, put you hand on their shoulder. Give these folks a compliment or two. But then point up in the sky with your other hand, and ask them how much they have in that direction.
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