Quote:
Originally Posted by chaotic_resolve
I've heard both quotes and agree with both. There are many people who are so carnal and earthy minded that they do nothing for the Kingdom of God; then there are a scant few that are so spiritually minded that they ignore the needs here.
I remember one man that was released from prison and lived with my family when I was a teenager. The man prayed all the time. I'm not kidding. He prayed at least 10 or more hours a day. I'd leave for school and he'd be praying. I'd get home from school, he'd still be praying. He'd be praying all afternoon and into the late evening. He led our church prayer meetings and talked about prayer all the time.
However, after a few months when he hadn't tried getting back on his own (get a job, apartment, etc) he wouldn't do it. He didn't need to work, he needed to pray. He went to some other church in another city that wanted to make him an assistant. Last I had heard he didn't last long there either. I don't know what happened with him after he left.
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You know, CR, when I first read your post, I thought I agreed with you. However, the more I've thought about it, I must say that I do NOT concur that I "agree with both." The man to whom you refer was not TRULY "heavenly minded." Rather, he was self-centered.
I understand that the phrase "so heavenly minded they are no earthly good" is in reference to folks like that, but the fact is, THE MORE HEAVENLY MINDED WE BECOME, THE MORE EARTHLY GOOD WE ACCOMPLISH.
I knew a man much like the one you referenced. He took over a Home Missions work. The district got together and brought men in from across the state to help him remodel his home. He couldn't help that morning because he was "led to pray." After he finished praying, he was "led to do outreach." He stayed gone the entire day while the rest of us worked like crazy TO HELP HIM. The fact was, he was neither praying, NOR reaching for the lost. He was lazy. Plain and simple. These are the kind of people to whom the cliche refers.
Nevertheless, there really is NO TRUTH in the statement AT ALL. It is simply impossible to be TRULY "heavenly minded" and not accomplish MUCH GOOD on earth at the same time. Sadly, I'm afraid it's just a cop out for our carnality.
I agree that folks can PRETEND to be "heavenly minded" and become of no use to anyone. However, I do NOT agree that they can actually BE "so heavenly minded they are no earthly good."
On the other hand, I am absolutely CERTAIN that MANY people are "so earthly minded they are no Heavenly good."
"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:6-8).
Nowhere do I read the Apostle Paul admonishing us not to become "TOO Spiritually minded." Nowhere do I read a warning from Christ or ANY of His followers that we might get so wrapped up in Heavenly things we become of no service to His Kingdom OR this world. It's just not there.
No, the sad truth is that it is IMPOSSIBLE to TRULY become "so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good." It just CAN'T happen.
I am certain that EVERY ONE OF US (myself included) could stand to become MORE "Heavenly minded" than we are right now. ALL OF US are FAR more concerned with earthly things than we should be.
God, teach us -- teach ME -- to pray more. Help me to become MORE "spiritually minded" than I am right now. I do NOT fear that I will reach a place where I will be "so heavenly minded that I am no earthly good." I do, however, fear that I may one day become "so earthly minded I am no Heavenly good."
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Honest confession is good for the soul.
I didn't look at it as being self-centered. Just used the other saying and thought it applied there. But what you wrote makes sense. 
Hybrid Mode
