Sunday, July 17, 2011

Is ambition and greed the same thing?

Having the drive to be successful is a good thing. Making good grades - excelling in sports - practicing a musical instrument to be a great player - making money - not a bad thing. Being ambitious is part of a lot of people’s make-up - and it should be! Where the gut check lies is in your priorities. When you become greedy - you will fall.

    Psalms 10:3 - "the greedy man curses and spurns God"
    Proverbs 11:6 - "the treacherous are caught by their own greed"
    Luke 12:15 - "be on guard against every form of greed; life is not in possessions"

So what's the difference? Ambition can be centered on using God given gifts to be good at something. Maybe even using that talent to further His kingdom. To use it to help others knowing that it is the right thing to do. To honor God with those very gifts. Greed is more about your 'stuff'. Keeping up with the Jones's so to speak. Some actually gain their total identity by what they do - what they have - what their title is. It's VERY easy to get caught up in worldly things - but it's a dangerous place to be. Especially for followers of Christ. If you want to lose something - make it your idol.

One of my all time favorite church sign messages is "if you really want to make God laugh - tell him about your retirement plans" Priceless...

True joy comes in wanting what you have. Not always wanting more. Taking what you are given with grace. Pure joy comes in giving or helping someone in need. If God has blessed you with the means to help others - make no mistake - it is expected of you to do so. In a world of Wall Street meltdowns - greed in this country has gotten out of control. A lot of folks are simply interested in what they have. Where their children go to school. What kind of house they live in. Guard yourself from that mind set.

If people in this country would follow God's principle in this area, we wouldn't need welfare - healthcare reform - bail outs or government redistribution of wealth. A country based on these principles would take care of itself. Truly loving your neighbor and caring for people in a real way. Given the opportunity I believe people with the means will always do the right thing. So as the Congress is battling over the debt ceiling and America is on the brink of default - think about that. Pray about it.

One Nation Under God doesn't sound bad to me.

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