Heaven’s Values in Earthly Cities
It’s important to make a distinction between a city on this side of heaven and the heavenly city to come. Scripture reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20), and yet we are very much called to live faithfully and responsibly where God has placed us now. Cities, like people, will always be works in progress. Brokenness, tension, and pain are part of the present reality. Still, God invites us to build something good and meaningful right in the middle of it.
That calling is captured beautifully in God’s words through the prophet Jeremiah: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you… Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). While no earthly city will ever fully resemble heaven, there is much of heaven that we are meant to weave into the foundations of our communities and culture today.
A healthy city begins with compassion. Any city that reflects the heart of God will take seriously the care of the poor, the vulnerable, and those experiencing pain. Those who have resources carry a responsibility toward those who do not—not out of obligation, but out of love for neighbor. Giving and receiving are part of a healthy human rhythm. When practiced wisely, generosity creates dignity rather than dependency and invites everyone to contribute what they can to the shared well-being of a community. Beyond material need, a healthy city is attentive to suffering of all kinds. Tragedy and hardship touch every neighborhood, and cities marked by health become known for how they show up for those who are hurting. This is where the church has a unique and essential role to play—helping cultivate a culture of compassion that notices, listens, and responds.
Healthy cities are also marked by growing peace and prosperity. Peace is more than the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of trust, respect, and relational health. Scripture’s vision of peace—shalom—is about wholeness and harmony, not just calm. It asks whether people genuinely care for one another, whether disagreement can be handled with dignity, and whether there is a shared sense of belonging. Prosperity goes beyond economics as well. It includes reputation, integrity, and direction. Is the city becoming a place people want to move toward rather than away from? Is it conducting its business with righteousness and care for the common good? Because peace is deeply relational and prosperity is often reputational, both are strengthened where relationships are strong and trust is growing across the community.
Alongside compassion and connection, a healthy city carries a clear sense of identity. Like individuals, cities need to know who they are and where they are going. This means asking honest questions about values and priorities. What do we want to be known for? What do we celebrate? What do we refuse to normalize? When a city’s identity is clear, its various sectors—government, education, business, faith communities, and civic organizations—can align their actions around shared values rather than competing agendas.
When compassion, relationships, and identity come together, the fruit becomes visible. Economies strengthen while crime diminishes. Schools improve as social needs decline. People and businesses are drawn in, while division and instability lose their grip. Art, culture, and reputation flourish, and irresponsibility slowly fades. These shifts rarely happen overnight, but they are consistent markers of a city moving toward health.
For those of us who long to see the kingdom of Jesus expressed on earth, our role is both simple and demanding. We help our cities flourish by leading with compassion, by building and connecting relationships wherever we can, and by faithfully shaping the values that define our shared life. But we do so with humility, knowing that lasting change cannot be manufactured. Cities change when hearts change, and hearts are transformed only through Jesus. A city is, after all, nothing more than a collection of people.
That’s why prayer remains our first and continual work. As the Holy Spirit becomes active in a city, not only do external conditions begin to shift, but hearts soften, hope rises, and people turn toward the life of the kingdom. No earthly city will ever be perfect, but through faithful presence, prayer, and love, it can become a place where glimpses of heaven are unmistakably seen.
That calling is captured beautifully in God’s words through the prophet Jeremiah: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you… Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). While no earthly city will ever fully resemble heaven, there is much of heaven that we are meant to weave into the foundations of our communities and culture today.
A healthy city begins with compassion. Any city that reflects the heart of God will take seriously the care of the poor, the vulnerable, and those experiencing pain. Those who have resources carry a responsibility toward those who do not—not out of obligation, but out of love for neighbor. Giving and receiving are part of a healthy human rhythm. When practiced wisely, generosity creates dignity rather than dependency and invites everyone to contribute what they can to the shared well-being of a community. Beyond material need, a healthy city is attentive to suffering of all kinds. Tragedy and hardship touch every neighborhood, and cities marked by health become known for how they show up for those who are hurting. This is where the church has a unique and essential role to play—helping cultivate a culture of compassion that notices, listens, and responds.
Healthy cities are also marked by growing peace and prosperity. Peace is more than the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of trust, respect, and relational health. Scripture’s vision of peace—shalom—is about wholeness and harmony, not just calm. It asks whether people genuinely care for one another, whether disagreement can be handled with dignity, and whether there is a shared sense of belonging. Prosperity goes beyond economics as well. It includes reputation, integrity, and direction. Is the city becoming a place people want to move toward rather than away from? Is it conducting its business with righteousness and care for the common good? Because peace is deeply relational and prosperity is often reputational, both are strengthened where relationships are strong and trust is growing across the community.
Alongside compassion and connection, a healthy city carries a clear sense of identity. Like individuals, cities need to know who they are and where they are going. This means asking honest questions about values and priorities. What do we want to be known for? What do we celebrate? What do we refuse to normalize? When a city’s identity is clear, its various sectors—government, education, business, faith communities, and civic organizations—can align their actions around shared values rather than competing agendas.
When compassion, relationships, and identity come together, the fruit becomes visible. Economies strengthen while crime diminishes. Schools improve as social needs decline. People and businesses are drawn in, while division and instability lose their grip. Art, culture, and reputation flourish, and irresponsibility slowly fades. These shifts rarely happen overnight, but they are consistent markers of a city moving toward health.
For those of us who long to see the kingdom of Jesus expressed on earth, our role is both simple and demanding. We help our cities flourish by leading with compassion, by building and connecting relationships wherever we can, and by faithfully shaping the values that define our shared life. But we do so with humility, knowing that lasting change cannot be manufactured. Cities change when hearts change, and hearts are transformed only through Jesus. A city is, after all, nothing more than a collection of people.
That’s why prayer remains our first and continual work. As the Holy Spirit becomes active in a city, not only do external conditions begin to shift, but hearts soften, hope rises, and people turn toward the life of the kingdom. No earthly city will ever be perfect, but through faithful presence, prayer, and love, it can become a place where glimpses of heaven are unmistakably seen.
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