“For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:10)
The people of God do not search for the items of this world with great intent, yet they do not just sit around and wait to see if God will supply all their needs. That may sound theologically incorrect, but I draw your attention to the crowns that are available to all who call Jesus Christ Lord, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” (Eph. 4:1)
As far as we know, no prophet of the Lord in the Old Testament went to the bank to ask for a loan so that he could purchase something he could not at that time obtain, none walked past the finest houses and decided to work three jobs so they could someday have that earthly item, they sought that which they could not see but were promised. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)
The material things of this world are not just an enticement for us, they are purposeful diversions, they are allowed by the Lord to exist for our testing, not so that we will fall, for the Lord tempts no man, (James 1:13) but so that we may by our own free will exercise the faith in Christ that we are to have. 1 Timothy 4:8 is true, “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Godliness is not only denying ourselves of our personal lusts, those things that are of the flesh and the eyes, but of the materialistic items that are in the world. Some deny these things for the wrong reason, to attempt to prove to themselves, to others and even to the Lord a form of piety that does not truly exist within them, while others exemplify the inverse of this nature, the prosperity gospel which is so prevalent today.
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil. 4:11) Just as secure in the knowledge of the love of the Father for us in a mansion or a hovel.
Why seek that which you will one day lose, that will be in the possession of another when you are gone from this earth? Many, if not most parents attempt to live their lives in such a way that their children will be “better off” than they themselves were and neglect the greater thing. Which matters most to the Lord in accordance to 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” the work that provides an income so the things of this world can be obtained, or the Spiritual guidance in the home for the glory of God towards their family?
How many men of the house would put Matthew 6:33 before that verse in the order of priority, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
We are not looking for the appearance of this city built without hands just because there will be no sin there or because we ourselves will be glorified and no longer pressed down by the burden of the old sinful nature within us, but because that is where the Lord is.
Contemplate this verse if you will in relation to this short poorly written letter, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:20) If the roof over your family’s house barely keeps the rain out, in fact if the entire house is destroyed, Christ is still with you. The Creator and Sustainer of all that is has promised to never leave you or forsake you. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jer. 31:3)
The new Jerusalem that will come down from heaven will be our home, so to speak, and its beauty will be indescribable, yet this city built without hands is not our goal, nor is even heaven itself, it is to be in the presence of the Lamb of God. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Cor. 2:9) “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21)
