APRIL 9, 2013
Is
Ambition Wrong?
Read: Colossians 3:22-24
Whatever you do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord. —Colossians 3:23
Is
ambition wrong? Is it wrong to be driven, to push to be the best? It can be.
The difference between right and wrong ambition is in our goal and
motivation
—whether it’s for God’s glory or our own.
In
1 Thessalonians 4:1, Paul tells us that Christians are to live lives “to
please
God.” For some, the drive to please Him is an instant transformation at
the time
of salvation; for others, the transformation is full of stutter-steps
and mis-starts.
Whether the change happens instantly or gradually, the
Christian is to pursue
God’s goals, not selfish ones.
So,
in the workplace we ask: “How will that job change help me serve others and
glorify God?” Ambition oriented toward God is focused outward on Him and
others,
always asking how He has gifted us and wants to use us.
Paul
suggests we work with “sincerity of heart, fearing God” (Col. 3:22). Whatever
we’re doing—in the board room, on the docks, wherever we’re working—we’re to
serve as if doing it for God (vv.23-24).
We
glorify Him most and enjoy Him most when we work with fervor and excellence
for
His pleasure, not ours. For His service and the service of others, not
self-service
and personal gain—because He deserves our all.
Lord, help me to apply zest to my work efforts
that I might please You. I offer my actions and words
today as a testimony to bring You glory.
Use me today to point others to You. Amen.
“We grow small trying to be great.” —Eli Stanley Jones,
missionary
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
