Heaven on earth?

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.       — Colossians 3:2

The Singapore developer of an extravagant condominium advertised its new project as, “Rediscover Heaven on Earth.” I suppose it meant to convey to prospective buyers that their purchase would be so luxurious that it would be like living in heaven while here on earth.

Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, was an extremely wealthy man (Eccl. 1:12). He tried to find heaven on earth and had the means to live as luxuriously as he could wish (2:1-10). Yet he wasn’t satisfied. So disillusioned was he with life, he described it with just one word — “vanity” (or “meaningless”). And he repeated the word eight times in chapter two alone. As long as he looked only at life “under the sun” (2:18), he felt hollow and dissatisfied. All of his striving was ultimately futile. There would come a day when he would have to relinquish his possessions and leave them to someone else (v. 18).

If you are a Christian, you can look to Christ’s promise of a heavenly home He has gone to prepare (John 14:2). That’s why Paul advised those who are enjoying what God has given: “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2). Don’t try to find heaven on earth. You won’t — no matter how hard you look!                        — C. P. Hia

Lightly hold earth’s joys so transient,

Loosely cling to things of clay,

Grasp perfections everlasting,

Where Christ dwelts in heaven’s day!

— Bosch

READ: Ecclesiastes 2:15-26

Those who have their hearts fixed on heaven will holdloosely the things of earth.

The Bible in one year:

• Ezekiel 18-19

• James 4