Dual Citizenship - In Heaven and On Earth
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consumes and where thieves break in and steal…” – Matthew 6:19
While driving past churches, I like to read the marquee signs, those changeable messages that share weekly sermon themes and inspirational quotes. By reading them, you can learn a lot about the church and maybe receive some inspirational wisdom for the road ahead. A few weeks ago, I saw this one: “My Kingdom is not of this world – John 10:36. Interested in dual citizenship?” That church’s interpretation of Jesus’ words caught my attention. Several of our American friends hold dual citizenships to other countries - Ireland, Greece, and Poland for example. Dual citizenship sounds appealing because of the benefits and privileges offered by both countries, but was never a consideration for me until that marquee tickled my imagination. No bureaucratic paperwork is required: United States citizenship is established, and heaven is our destination one day, where Jesus has always been a citizen. But I would like to consider simultaneous, rather than sequential, citizenship on earth and in heaven.
The Lord’s Prayer, Christians’ most often-prayed prayer (it was taught by Jesus, after all!), begins: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Most Christians have this memorized but (probably) seldom think about its meaning. Since we are God’s hands and feet and voices while on earth, it seems that it is up to each of us to help bring God’s kingdom from heaven to earth and to do God’s will on earth as it is done in heaven. If we hold dual citizenship in both kingdoms, heaven and earth, it seems that it will be easier to transfer God’s will and those portions of the heavenly kingdom that are transferable. The best navigation and instruction tools for both kingdoms are found in books of wisdom like the two testaments of the Bible for Christians. Manifestations of love’s treasures such as empathy, compassion, mercy, kindness, and humility are certainly transferable in that mysterious realm between heaven and earth. However, manifestations of earthly treasures such as wealth, real estate, jewelry, and precious art do not transfer. Therefore, if we wish to store treasures in heaven and on earth, they should be treasures of love, not of worldly items which are useful only during our short stay on planet earth.
There have been many leaders in the kingdom of earth - kings, emperors, presidents, bishops, popes - but during the earth’s entire existence, there has been only one leader in the kingdom of heaven. In 1 Chronicles 29:11, King David, of the Judeo/Christian Bible, said: “Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” As we embrace our dual citizenship, remember that earthly leaders come and go, but God’s leadership is steadfast and generous. Let us follow God’s heavenly lead to be generous on earth with our treasures and our hearts.
In God’s Love,
Lanny F. Wilson, M.D.
“…but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:20-21
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