Philippians 2:3-4 (New International Version – UK)
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
I turned on the TV this morning. What? I’m still not making the headlines? LOL. Okay, back to work!
But more seriously, I have a strong desire to be more than I currently am. My desire is to have my work and my ideas make a positive difference in the world that I live in. My desire is to be successful in business and entrepreneurship.
Today’s verse is calling us to question our motives, especially if you are involved in secular work. Why do you want to succeed so much? Why are you making the sacrifices? Why are you staying up late at night and rising early to keep pushing?
Is it for your glory or for His Glory?
I’m searching my heart and questioning my motives too. Am I this driven just so that I can prove to my dad that see, “I turned out very okay, even though I didn’t study to become a doctor like you wanted me to?”. Or to prove to ‘others’ that I am not just an accessory to a successful husband. I hope I can truly answer NO to these questions.
I know God has invested a lot in me and you too. We’ve got gifts and talents and purpose. It’s only fair that we use these gifts for His glory. I would hate to realize at the end of my life that I had wasted or allowed to lie fallow, all that God had given me.
Hence I work, using my gifts to make a difference for His glory. Relying on His grace to be consistent and His wisdom to navigate unfamiliar terrain.
Selfish ambition will drive you to promote yourself at all costs. It is about vanity, seeking your glory and exalting yourself above all else. It is giving God no place or influence in your journey to success.
I decide today, and I hope you will join me, that as much as I am driven to success and being all that God has called me to be, it must never come at all costs. I will not sacrifice my Faith, my love and dedication to my husband and children, godly values as spelt out in the Bible, the important relationships in my life and eternal life.
Oh, and I will enjoy the journey – leaning on the One who has called me.
I choose today to say no to selfish ambition.
So help us God.