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“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” Colossians 3:1-5

Paul puts two primitive views of “things” into contrast with each other: things above and things on the earth.

Paul talks about setting your mind on things that are above, where Christ is seated.

I don't like the way this is interpreted by some. In an American view of the word “things,” we think of just the stuff. It’s as if you get saved and then start thinking about better stuff. There seems to be the perception that trading earthly stuff for heavenly stuff baptizes earthly greed to become blessed prosperity.

That’s not what Paul is talking about.

First of all, we don’t know a lot about the ‘stuff’ of heaven when it comes to buildings, technology, transportation, and food. I don’t think Jesus came to the earth and raised up the church to get us to think above ‘stuff’ that does not require an extended warranty.

I think this verse, consistent with the narrative of Scripture, is getting us to change our values: what we esteem, what we pursue, what we desire, what we use the stuff of our lives for

‘Setting our minds’ is not just the direction of our thoughts. It is setting the direction of our lives.

Our talents. Our time. Our treasure.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. How could you begin setting (or resetting) your talents to be above?
2. How could you begin setting (or resetting) your time to be above?
3. How could you begin setting (or resetting) your treasure to be above?