Prioritizing Devotion over Worldly Ambitions in Christian Life
The Christian life is characterized by prioritizing devotion to God over worldly ambitions. This is rooted in biblical teachings, such as Colossians 3:2, which instructs believers to "set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" [1]. The idea is that one's affections should be supremely set upon God and heavenly things, rather than being consumed by earthly desires and ambitions [2].
In the view of Nonconformist/Puritan commentator Matthew Henry, this involves a conscious decision to "take [our hearts] off from this world" and focus on heavenly things. one tradition notes that this is not a call to asceticism, but rather a call to prioritize one's spiritual life [6]. Similarly, Baptist/Reformed commentator John Gill interprets Colossians 3:2 as emphasizing the importance of setting one's affections on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God [7].
This prioritization is not limited to personal piety, but also extends to one's relationships and actions. For example, believers are called to "be affectionate one to another" and to "outdo one another in showing honor" [8]. This is in contrast to the world's emphasis on self-advancement and personal gain.
The pursuit of worldly ambitions can be a hindrance to the Christian life. Jesus warns against "overmuch care" about earthly things, encouraging believers to trust in God's providence instead [4]. The apostle Paul also cautions against allowing worldly concerns to distract from one's devotion to God, urging believers to "seek first the kingdom of God" [not directly quoted, but see 6].
In the Christian tradition, this prioritization of devotion over worldly ambitions is seen as a key aspect of discipleship. As Matthew Henry notes, "Christianity is the worst trade, but the best calling in the world" [9]. Believers are called to cultivate a mindset that is focused on heavenly things, rather than being consumed by earthly desires.
The biblical emphasis on prioritizing devotion to God is reflected in various Christian traditions. For example, the Puritan tradition emphasizes the importance of "setting one's heart on heaven" and being "zealously engaged for God" [2, 6]. Similarly, the Reformed tradition highlights the need for believers to "mortify sinful lusts" and to "live to Christ" [3, 5].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 3:2 (Webster) — Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affections, The — Should be supremely set upon God -- De 6:3; Mr 12:30. Should be set Upon the commandments of God. -- Ps 19:8-10; 119:20,97,103,167. Upon the house and worship of God. -- 1Ch 29:3; Ps 26:8; 27:4; 84:1,2. Upon the people of God. -- Ps 16:3; Ro 12:10; 2Co 7:13-15; 1Th 2:8. Upon heavenly things. -- Col 3:1,2. Should be zealously engaged for God -- Ps 69:9; 119:139; Ga 4:18. Christ claims the first place in -- Mt 10:37; Lu 14:26. Enkindled by communion with Christ -- Lu 24:32. Blessedness of making God the object of -- Ps 91:14. Should not grow cold -- P”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Care, Overmuch — About earthly things, forbidden -- Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27. God's providential goodness should keep us from -- Mt 6:26,28,30; Lu 22:35. God's promises should keep us from -- Heb 13:5. Trust in God should free us from -- Jer 17:7,8; Da 3:16. Should be cast on God -- Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7. An obstruction to the Gospel -- Mt 13:22; Lu 8:14; 14:18-20. Be without -- 1Co 7:32; Php 4:6. Unbecoming in saints -- 2Ti 2:4. Uselessness of -- Mt 6:27; Lu 12:25,26. Vanity of -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Warning against -- Lu 21:34. Sent as a punishment to”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 3:1: The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our privilege th”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3:2: Set your affections on things above,.... For unless the affections are set on them, they will never be sought after in a proper manner. The word signifies to mind them, and think on them, to favour and approve of them, to be affectionately desirous of them, and concerned for them; for where the treasure is, the heart should be; and as the saints' best things are above, their minds and affections should be there likewise; their contemplation should be on those things, and their conversation should be in heaven; nor should they regard anything but what is there, or c”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 12:10: Be, &c.--better, "In brotherly love be affectionate one to another; in [giving, or showing] honor, outdoing each other." The word rendered "prefer" means rather "to go before," "take the lead," that is, "show an example." How opposite is this to the reigning morality of the heathen world! and though Christianity has so changed the spirit of society, that a certain beautiful disinterestedness and self-sacrifice shines in the character of not a few who are but partially, if at all under the transforming power of the Gospel, it is only those whom "the lo”
- 1 Timothy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Timothy 6:6: From the mention of the abuse which some put upon religion, making it to serve their secular advantages, the apostle, I. Takes occasion to show the excellency of contentment and the evil of covetousness. 1. The excellency of contentment, Ti1 6:6-8. Some account Christianity an advantageous profession for this world. In the sense they mean this is false; yet it is undoubtedly true that, though Christianity is the worst trade, it is the best calling in the world. Those that make a trade of it, merely to serve their turn for this world, will be disappointed, and fi”