Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
—Galatians 5:26
According to the world's system, the best place to be is ahead of everyone else. Popular thinking would say that we should try to get to the top no matter who we have to hurt on the way up. But the Bible teaches us that there is no such thing as real peace until we are delivered from the need to compete with others.
Even in what is supposed to be considered "fun games," we often see competition get so out of balance that people end up arguing and hating one another rather than simply relaxing and having a good time together. Naturally, human beings don't play games to lose; everyone is going to do his best. But when a person cannot enjoy a game unless he is winning, he definitely has a problem—possibly a deep-rooted one that is causing other problems in many areas of his life.
We should definitely do our best on the job; there is nothing wrong with wanting to do well and advance in our chosen professions. But I encourage you to remember that promotion for the believer comes from God and not from man. You and I don't need to play worldly games to get ahead. God will give us favor with Him and with others if we will do things His way (see Proverbs 3:3-4).
What God does for you or for me may not be what He does for someone else, but we must remember what Jesus said to Peter, "Don't be concerned about what I choose to do with someone else—you follow Me" (see John 21:22).
Give of Yourself
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.”
2 Corinthians 8:2–5
On March 10, 1863, Edward Prince of Wales married Princess Alexandria of Denmark. The wedding was a major event in England, and the royal couple received thousands of presents. Commenting on the gifts and the motivation of the givers, Charles Spurgeon said, “The position of the Princess is such that we do not view it as any great liberality to subscribe to a diamond necklace, since those who give are honored by her acceptance.” The motive of our giving, rather than the amount, determines whether our giving is acceptable in God’s eyes. It is ultimately a matter of the heart.
When we give our resources, we may be doing right, or we may be seeking the attention or approval of others. But when we first give ourselves to God, the problem of motivation will take care of itself. When Paul described the members of the churches in Macedonia to encourage the Corinthian believers in their giving, he pointed out that these Christians, despite their great poverty, begged him to accept what they were able to give.
The view we have of our resources is shaped and formed by the view that we have of God. When He is high and lifted up, and we love and adore Him above all else in the world, we do not look at what we have as our own, but as His.
2 Corinthians 8:2–5
On March 10, 1863, Edward Prince of Wales married Princess Alexandria of Denmark. The wedding was a major event in England, and the royal couple received thousands of presents. Commenting on the gifts and the motivation of the givers, Charles Spurgeon said, “The position of the Princess is such that we do not view it as any great liberality to subscribe to a diamond necklace, since those who give are honored by her acceptance.” The motive of our giving, rather than the amount, determines whether our giving is acceptable in God’s eyes. It is ultimately a matter of the heart.
When we give our resources, we may be doing right, or we may be seeking the attention or approval of others. But when we first give ourselves to God, the problem of motivation will take care of itself. When Paul described the members of the churches in Macedonia to encourage the Corinthian believers in their giving, he pointed out that these Christians, despite their great poverty, begged him to accept what they were able to give.
The view we have of our resources is shaped and formed by the view that we have of God. When He is high and lifted up, and we love and adore Him above all else in the world, we do not look at what we have as our own, but as His.
Today’s Growth Principle:
We will never give to God’s work as we should unless we have first given Him all of our heart.
Avoid Worldly Competition
by Joyce Meyer - posted April 19, 2017Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
—Galatians 5:26
According to the world's system, the best place to be is ahead of everyone else. Popular thinking would say that we should try to get to the top no matter who we have to hurt on the way up. But the Bible teaches us that there is no such thing as real peace until we are delivered from the need to compete with others.
Even in what is supposed to be considered "fun games," we often see competition get so out of balance that people end up arguing and hating one another rather than simply relaxing and having a good time together. Naturally, human beings don't play games to lose; everyone is going to do his best. But when a person cannot enjoy a game unless he is winning, he definitely has a problem—possibly a deep-rooted one that is causing other problems in many areas of his life.
We should definitely do our best on the job; there is nothing wrong with wanting to do well and advance in our chosen professions. But I encourage you to remember that promotion for the believer comes from God and not from man. You and I don't need to play worldly games to get ahead. God will give us favor with Him and with others if we will do things His way (see Proverbs 3:3-4).
What God does for you or for me may not be what He does for someone else, but we must remember what Jesus said to Peter, "Don't be concerned about what I choose to do with someone else—you follow Me" (see John 21:22).
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