The Things Of Earth

I’m a collector of sorts. I like to collect props from movies, specifically helmets or masks. I have an area in my house where they are displayed. I also have a few figures/statues of fictional characters I like. I wonder sometimes if what I really have are idols. I’m not worshipping them, that’s for sure, and if God told me to smash them, I would do so in a heartbeat. I wonder if these are less idols and just simple proofs that I love the things of this world. It’s a convicting notion that was brought on by the hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” when, in church recently, we sang the lyric, “The things of earth will grow strangely dim/In the light of His glory and grace.” That line stayed with me for several days and I began to think about the things of this earth that I’ve collected.

“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.“ (1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15)‬

This instruction is probably familiar to those of us who have followed Jesus for a long time, but is the entire verse familiar? When I love the world, I don’t have the love of the Father in me. That’s something I need to guard against—loving this world and the things it offers. C.S. Lewis once wrote in The Problem with Pain:

“All these toys were never intended to possess my heart. My true good is in another world, and my only real treasure is Christ.”

One of the downfalls of collecting worldly possessions is that the possessions open the door of pride in our lives. Americans are good at storing up possessions and treasures in this world. We have plenty of closet space, office space, attic space, garage space, and if that runs out we can always rent a storage unit! And the things of this earth that we store up: some of them don’t take any physical room—we just store them on our bodies, marking ourselves permanently with the things of this world!

”For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.“ ‭‭ (1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭17)‬ ‭

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

We are collecting, displaying, spending our money on things that will fade away—things which celebrate a world that is fading away! If we are focused on the things of this world, it makes it more difficult to live in obedience to God and His Kingdom ways. It is harder to obey Colossians 3:2–“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth”—if we are thinking about the things of earth. It’s harder to obey Philippians 4:8–“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things”—if we are thinking about the things of earth.

“‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’” (Matthew 6:19-21)

Couldn’t we be doing more with our money rather than collecting fading celebrations of a fading world? Couldn’t our lives be sweeter, our ministries more impactful, our sermons more convicting and aligned with the Spirit if we had less love for the world and more love for the Father? Is your love for the world and the things in it pushing the love of God out of you? If someone walked into your church, into your office, into your house, would they see your love for Christ or your love for this world? What impact is your love for the world and its offerings having on your walk with Christ? On your ministry? If you love this world and the things in it, you do not have the love of the Father in you. What a terrifying notion!

To the glory of the Lord God, whose I am, and whom I serve.