Too Heavenly Minded – No Earthly Good
Vic Gill | Nov 06, 2008 | Comments 10
I’ve been thinking. I am beginning to despise the expression ‘too heavenly/spiritually minded, no earthly good.’ Those that God has used the most in Church history were accused of being too heavenly/spiritually minded. But isn’t it amazing that God used these individuals for His greatest works? We need to tear down these speculations which have crept into the Church that being too spiritually minded is arrogance or ignorance. Scriptures tell us to be spiritually and heavenly minded. To cast our eyes upon Jesus Christ and let our gaze be fixed upon Him.
Whilst driving to work and listening to Paul Washer the other day, I was challenged by what he said and had to totally agree. When you get spiritually/heavenly minded people you will always have someone who will usually say something like this:
…you’re too heavenly or spiritually minded that you’re no earthly good…
But let’s consider for one minute those radicals who have been TOO spiritually minded and examine how God used them.
- Jonathan Edwards - Studied the things of God for about 13 hours a day. God used this man to send one the most powerful revivals in Church history;
- John Bunyan – Accussed of being too spiritual was thrown into prison. God used this man to write one of the most pioneering pieces of literature, ‘Pilgrims Progress’ whilst in prison. A book which changed the face of modern literature and spiritually impacted the world.
- John Wesley – Traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, preached 40,000 to 50,000 sermons, produced hundreds of pieces of literature, and at the age of 83 he was angry with his doctor because the doctor didn’t let him preach more than 14 times per week. At the age of 86, he wrote these words in his journal, “Laziness is slowly creeping in. There is an increasing tendency to stay in bed after 5:30 in the morning.”
- David Wilkerson – Was so spiritually minded that he gave up everything and went to New York to reach the lost gangs. What a glorious work God did through him when Nicky Cruz, one of the most hardened gang leaders was saved.
- George Muller – So spiritually minded that he spent most of his days just praying that God would bring the funds for the orphanage work. He didn’t ask for a penny, yet God opened the heavens and started a wonderful work amongst the homeless and deprived children of Bristol.
This list is perhaps just the beginning. I’m sure if you were to pick up a copy of John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs you’d see page after page of spiritually minded people who were no earthly good.
Perhaps preachers ought to start telling people to be more spiritually minded and less earthly good because this is what the scriptures say:
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)
It is because Christians have become so earthly minded that we begin to slowly employ the carnal methods of this world and we begin compromising. It is because the Church in the UK, or dare I even say, the so called Church, has become so good at being earthly good that it has nothing much to say to those who want to be spiritually minded in Christ. My prayer is that God raises up again those who are too spiritually minded and no earthly good, not only in Britain but all over the world. The beautiful body of Christ ought to be so focused on heavenly things and their gaze ought to be at the heavens.
The Church in the UK, in my rather weak estimation, has lost its power as it prattles about trying to please every party, group and chair. It must realise that it mustn’t seek to please men, but be found pleasing to the Master.
Are you too earthly minded? Or are you heavenly minded, seeking things above for the sheer glory and pleasure of God and His beloved Church. To the wind with ‘too spiritually minded, no earthly good.’
That I May Know Him
Vic Gill
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Thank you for posting this message.
I had never heard this until a few months ago, I have been referred to a minister to help me under the “dark night of soul” trial I have been going through. After she told me that it left me really confused and a bit angry. I would never have thought a minister would say something like that to anyone.
Most of us that have been called to have strong faith were born this way, even though we have not or at least I have not always understood it or appreciated it. It is very difficult at times to be so in tune with spirit in this world.
Again thank you!
Dear Friend,
Even in the darkest nights, Christ Jesus our closest Saviour remains with us. Be assured that all the tribulations and trials you face in your life are a sign that something is wrong with this world and life. It is from here that you must cry out and abandon hope in all things and throw yourself upon Jesus.
Feel free to stay in touch. Please tell me more about yourself.
Vic Gill
Thanks for this post.
I that phrase about “Well, brother… I like your passion but you don’t want to be so spiritually minded your of no earthly good” has been said to me several times (mostly by pastors and minister I talk to). And I’ve never really known what to say in reply.
The phrase kinda bothered me until today I came across Romans 8:6
“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
I then said, so much for that crazyness… and besides, I’ve met more people who are so earthly minded that they’re no good at all than those spoken of in this weird “Christian” Cliche.” Your text from Collosians and examples from history are good too.
I definitely see where your coming from and apprecciate your comments.
Dearest brother in Christ,
Truly we are in the last days. I hear it all the time now from leaders ‘oh stop being so zealous, or so religious’.
It’s probably because of the lukewarm dry and dead christianity that many leaders feel threatened by those who are spiritually minded. Stay on fire for God brother. When you burn you won’t need to advertise it, people will see it from afar.
In Christ Alone
Vic Gill
This phrase, “So heavenly-minded, no earthly good,” came to mind when I began on Monday morning studying for the Sunday morning message, and to teach the adult class in Sunday School. I was lead to Acts 1 where in verse 11 the angel of the Lord asked, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? It is referring to one focusing just on going to heaven instead of doing the work of heaven. It is saying why are you looking for heaven to come when there is work to be done. It does not ridicule spiritualism, in fact, the opposite. I agree with your admonishment to work until Jesus come, but too many have the cart before the horse. Too many sit on the pews of churches week after week and never do anything for the sake of Christ Kingdom. They are led to believe that because they have stated that they are believers, and maybe they do mentally accept that Jesus is the Son of God, and has done all that the Bible claims, but never live their faith, believing that they are saved. Faith is the tool of God by which we carry out what we believe. People are not being taught the right way to worship God, and prepare for the coming events. We need to stir people up with the love of Jesus that they will share His love with a lost world. Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work. Most believe that work is something that can be taken or overlooked. If Jesus said, “HE MUST WORK,” then I believe that we must as well. Is a servant greater than his master? not many mind saying, “I must be born again,” thinking once born, God cannot deny them. Born again means to become spiritually born making one spiritual. Unfortunately, I don’t see much fire out of many that claim to have experienced a spiritual birth. Many claim that we must speak in tongues and claim to be spirit filled, yet look like they have been sucking on a lemon and seem to have about as much joy as a person on death row. Some claim that you have to be water baptized and refer to John 3:5-6, where Jesus is just stating that a person must be physically born (a baby is born in a water bag), of which He went on to clarify, but for a person to prepare themselves for heaven they must be born of God. Most of what we espouse as spiritualism is little more than self-righteousness. What we have done while we claim we can do nothing. Too put it simply, too many are standing around waiting for the bus to take them to heaven but have purchased, been given, received, the wrong ticket. Oh what a sad day that will be when the door is shut up and sudden realization set in, that it is about more than a mental acknowledgment.
Dear Brother Vic,
I believe it is impossible to be of any earthly good until we become heavenly minded.
The words of the apostle Paul come to mind:
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Tim 2:4
Surely the apostle Paul would fit in that list above as being too heavenly minded and no earthly good, but he was arguably the most effective man used of God in the whole of history.
I think Paul tops it off with a scripture that I hope I can truly say and mean from the bottom of my heart:
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1: 21
Meaning that for him to live would be to do the work of God, but ultimately his eyes are firmly planted on his home with Him.
To the wind with “too heavenly minded and no earthly good”. I like that.
In His sweet name
Sunny
i just have one question…
surely our spirituality should be causing us to be more earthly good? or what are you meaning by “earthly good”? are you meaning earthly good in a “worldy sinful sense” or in a “loving our neighbour” sense? because to love our neighbour is the second comandment. (and that is not all about heaven, its about this eartth).
I understand what you’re getting at, i do, and it has caused me to think more deeply on this matter. i just dont think we need anymore “pie in the sky when you die” Christianity… i think that the more the more spriritually minded we become, and the more we fix our eyes on Jesus, the more earthly good should we should become, in that we actively seek God’s Kingdom and will here on earth. precisely what great heros of the faith seeked to do (eg. Goerge Muller etc)
thank you for your blog
Thanks Jess,
I would say that Christianity had more of an impact on this world when it had ‘heaven’ and ‘eternity’ in view. Just picture the early church which turned the world upside and inside out during the great persecutions. One common thread which ran among them was a similar stance which Stephen the Martyr had, who looked and gazed up to the heavens and beheld the glory of God.
I understand what you mean about getting a balance and all, but perhaps the half the problem is because the church is always trying to find a balance. Maybe we should stop being balanced and wobble and lean on God, haha
Christianity is most powerful when it is most focused on Christ. We are called to be a peculiar people in this world and only a glimpse of Christ can do that.
Get a big picture of Jesus! Everything changes thereafter.
Jess, this is how I always understood this phrase as well. I have heard others say the same this way…The harvest is ready yet there are no workers to bring it in because they are all too focused on their reward.
I am focused on Jesus Christ, not my eternal reward.
How does God want me to use the gifts and talents for His Kingdom rather than burying them? This is the earthly focus…not focusing on earthly things to the exclusion of God, may it never be so with us.
I would much rather sit and study the word of God all day. I could easily do this and exclude interaction with others. I would enjoy this more than you can know. Yet, I am called to be in the world, just not of it. “Here am I, send me” in the world for earthly good. “Good” is impossible without God.
This is how I have understood this phrase over the years.
I agree with the expression, when used the right way.
What I take from it is this–I am a Christian and I do lean on God, but sometimes there is the “practical” side too. I’ve come to certain Christians regarding certain struggles and received practical hands-on advice as well as preaching God’s larger perspective on the issues. Others do absolutely nothing but preach the concept & scripture–often-times concepts which I’m already familiar with & even in agreement with. I leave feeling as if the whole thing was a waste of time.
In other words–if it’s summertime and you’re hot, what do most do, Chrisitians included? They turn the air conditioner on. They don’t quote scripture about how the world is full of pain because of “the fall”–even though that is true & does need to be said regularly. No they turn the A/C on and praise God for the provision that we have it to turn to.
A really good example of this concept involves, to me, Child Protective Services’ (CPS) overreach and how it interferes with parents just being able to parent their children without looking over their shoulder. I have friends who are saved, live for God but their family is broken up because of how CPS doesn’t respect the God-given authority of parents being the one in charge of the direction of how they parent their children. It goes WAY beyond preventing abuse.
What really upsets me is when other Christians get so focused on saying “our struggle is not with principalities of this world but the invisible forces of darkness” (approximate quote). They get so focused on that then it’s as-if you can’t call out CPS and the government itself for their wrong policies and, in response, seeking to change the government & its policies itself.
Yes we do need to realize the bigger picture and pray for our leaders, but that doesn’t preclude one from seeking to criticize officials who are wrong and to promote one official vs the other if one seems more apt to govern in a more Godly manner.
Of real note is that when Jesus was here He did preach the principles and admonished sin, but He also healed the sick. He didn’t look at the person asking for healing and say “well, God is testing your faith and you need to learn patience through the trial.” No He did the practical thing–He healed them, and yes He did so in response to them having faith in Him, also He directed them “go & sin no more”–as He should’ve. It wasn’t just about fixing their problem but also adressing the larger concepts. But still, He healed them, that’s as practical as it gets.
When that phrase regards the failure of well-meaning Christians to address the specific need on that level because they’re always speaking about the bigger concept but missing the basic need itself, then the phrase is absolutely correct.