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Set your affection on things above

Opinion & Analysis
Last week I had an occasion to tour some mansion that is under construction.

Last week I had an occasion to tour some mansion that is under construction. Sermon of the week with Erasmus Makarimayi

The architectural excellence and the interior design ingenuity were mouth-watering.

I haven’t been to every house or palace under the sun but according to my research I wouldn’t be far from truth if I suggest that this particular mansion will rank among the top ten in the world after completion.

Awestruck, the young man guiding us remarked that if God were to call the owner home, they should petition him for more time to enjoy life and celebrate the sweetness of life.

There are many people that are so glued to their material possessions on earth and fear death so much. You should not be afraid of death because it is the means by which you are transitioned to glory before the return of Christ.

Life is designed in such a way that we should prosper and enjoy. It is in order to have mansions, cars, run successful businesses and acquire diverse wealth. What you need to know is that the same life should be used for preparing for life in the age to come. Your life in heaven is born out of your life on earth. As a Christian, your constant nudge is the life to come.

While you live in righteousness gearing yourself for the longer life after death, you should not neglect your duty as a human being on earth.

You are under instruction to progress on earth. Genesis 1:28 commands you thus, “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” Therefore acquire wealth for the betterment of humanity.

If you are born again and baptised, the Bible teaches you to use this present life to feed into the life to come. Colossians 3:1-3 reads: “[1] If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

“It is very clear that you have to direct your faculties to focus on things in heaven. Don’t be fond of earthly things. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, Jesus preserves your life in Him in heaven. You should be dead to worldly affection and use your earthly life to glorify Him. Have a decorated career, stock exchange listed flourishing business, mansions, cars or truckloads of currencies of the world but use them for God’s glory.

According to biblical teaching, whenever the Holy Spirit asks you to avail part of your wealth to the church and community, don’t hold it back.

Don’t choose to be poor in order to avoid blessing others. Rather desire riches. In fact the Bible teaches you to be very rich in order to leave enough generational inheritance.

Proverbs 13:22 teaches: “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” As you use your wealth according to God’s way, you will be securing your life to come as well as guaranteeing the safety of your possessions on earth. Matthew 6:19-21 admonishes, “[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” I ask you; where is your heart?

I have not written to instil fear but to liberate you to enjoy your success and secure your next life which is longer than your current one. Earthly life is so short compared with your life to come which is everlasting. Job 14:1 clarifies thus, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Your real life is in Christ according to Colossians 3:4 which reads, “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” If you are not born again, this is your opportunity to do so. Receive Him today and enjoy your wealth freely without fearing death. We need your wealth here but you are needed in heaven. Be of earthly relevance but be heavenly bound. Set your affection on things above. You are going somewhere.

All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible lFeedback: [email protected]

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