Abstain From Vain Ambition

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

(Philippians 2:3-4)

There are many television preachers and so-called evangelists in the lime light who have lost their way. Their focus is not on adding souls to the Kingdom of God but on lining their pockets. They’re more interested in how much money they can take in, or how much acclaim they can garner, than bringing the lost souls to Christ. They build huge mansions for themselves and spend the donated money on worldly pleasures. They have been seduced by the gods of money and praise they get from their ministries. They may know the right preachy words to say to their audience, but their words do not even penetrate their own hard-hearts. If Jesus were here on earth today, he would be calling them a brood of vipers and hypocrites.

I don’t, however, have to be a nationally known preacher to have egotistical motivations in my life. If I’m only motivated by gaining praise or adoration of others by my good deeds, my heart is still in the wrong place. I am just as much a hypocrite as the afore-mentioned televangelists. It’s very easy to fall into that mindset. I know I love to be praised for a good deed, but if praise becomes my goal, I need to change my heart. I am commanded by Christ to aid and give comfort to those in need. I’m not to be looking for a pat on the back for helping others. I show my faith in Christ by what I humbly do for others. I’m getting old, and my body can’t do everything I used to be able to do. Even if all I can do is encourage others in the service of the Lord, that’s what I must do.

My first consideration should be for what will help my brothers and sisters and contribute to their wellbeing. What other people think about what I’m doing shouldn’t even enter into my thoughts. Christ is my example. He humbled himself just by becoming one of us. He healed the sick, blind, and lame, then told them not to tell anyone who did it. He is the King of all and yet he came to serve and save us all. He could have just popped into this world and demand praise and worship but instead, he willingly went to the cross, shedding his blood to cleanse me of my sins. The least I can do for him is to show others the compassion and love that Jesus showed for me.

Heavenly Father your love and compassion brings serenity to our lives. Our joy is made complete in you and following in the footsteps of Jesus. We are easily led astray by selfish desires for praise from others for a simple good deed. There are many times we let our ambitions rule our hearts, and we do things to get what we want that are not pleasing to you. Out of self-centeredness, we ignore the very people we should be lifting up in love. Forgive us, Lord, when we act like we belong to the secular world instead of the Body of Christ. It’s out of our love for you that we do our good works, not to show how good we are, but to show how great your love is. There will always be those who need our help. Give us eyes to see the needs around us. Give us the means to be able to meet those needs. Finally, give us the heart to submit our wills to yours. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!