So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” (1 Peter 1:17b NLT)

The Word of God tells us that we are to live here on Earth as temporary residents, yet many Christians live like permanent occupants.

If you arrive in a city for a temporary assignment, you will have a much different mentality than if you come for a job that may last the rest of your life. You may be more content to live in a small apartment than in a large house for a temporary position. You would be less apt to buy a lot of expensive furnishings for your apartment or home because you realize you will only use them for a short period and probably will not be able to take them with you when you leave. You may be less likely to try to keep up with the Joneses, as you will only be around them for a short time.

The Bible tells us that our life here on Earth is just for a moment and is over in a breath (Psalm 39:5 NLT). So, we live in denial—we know we are short-term residents on this Earth but live like we are here long-term. This mentality will continue until we learn this Earth is not our home and will reflect our priorities.

What we focus on, we become. Concentrating on temporal considerations like worldly riches tends to set our time and energy on obtaining wealth instead of serving God. It would behoove us to remember that the time to enjoy temporal blessings is short, but eternal blessings are unending.

Many say that you can be so heavenly-minded you are no earthly good, but it is just as true that you can be so worldly-minded you have no heavenly vision.

Live like a temporary resident, and you will abide in anticipation of eternal joy.

I worked for seventeen years as a missionary with Youth With A Mission.  My missionary work has taken me to Mexico, Canada, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Spain, and Ukraine.  I hold a Masters of Education in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Commonwealth University.  [email protected]