Have you ever heard someone say, ‘He is too Heavenly minded to be any earthly good.’? Although Scripture is clear that it is not our place to judge the heart/intent of others, if someone is so focused on learning about God that they never help those who need to experience God’s love, they are probably too focused on one aspect of their Christian life. Conversely, if someone is so focused on serving others that they never take time to read the Bible, pray, attend church/Bible study, etc., perhaps they are neglecting a vital aspect of their relationship with God.
We must heed the Bible’s warning about going to extremes.
- Ecclesiastes 7:16-17 Do not be overly righteous, Nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Do not be overly wicked, Nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?
- Although we are righteous before God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), don’t be self-righteous or a know-it-all (James 1:19).
- Although we all fall short of God’s standards and commands (Romans 3:23), don’t be intentionally wicked or deny the existence of God (Psalm 14:1).
- Ecclesiastes 7:18 goes on to tell us, the key to finding the correct balance in life is our awe of and reverence for God (see also Proverbs 9:10).
Here are some additional verses that communicate the importance of finding an appropriate balance between our ongoing pursuit of God and our day-to-day interactions with others.
- Matthew 5:6-7 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
- Hebrews 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
- James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Obviously there are seasons of life where you may spend more time on a particular aspect of your Christian walk (e.g. going to seminary, completing a major service project, a short-term mission trip, etc.). However, as God leads by His Word and Spirit, and provides opportunities through our circumstances, we should always be prepared to respond in obedience with Christ-likeness.
- Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
- Matthew 25:35-36 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Prayer
Lord, I pray for myself, anyone who reads this devotion, and Your children everywhere, that You will provide perspective and guidance on how to obtain and maintain the appropriate balance between diligently seeking after You and faithfully sharing the love of Christ with those You place in our path along the way. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.
