Ambition & Your WorkSample

We’re Not Perfect in Our Pursuits

Today’s reading is from the Theology of Work Project.

In the New Testament, Paul works as an evangelist, apostle, tentmaker and leatherworker. There are marks of success and ambition in his profession, as in any other. How many converts you win, how much funding you raise, how many people praise you as their spiritual mentor, how your numbers compare to other evangelists—these can be points of pride and ambition. Paul admits that these motivations exist in his profession, but insists that the only proper motivation is love. On the other hand, Paul also acknowledges that regardless of others’ selfish motivations, he is pleased with the end result: Christ being preached.

In Philippians 1:15-18, Paul says:

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

Our ambitions are not always perfectly Christ-centered. We are all tempted to work for the marks of success, including recognition, security and money, which can lead to “selfish ambition.” (The Greek word used for selfish ambition in the context Paul is talking about, eritieias, is perhaps more precisely translated as “unfair self-promotion.”) These temptations often come as we accomplish the legitimate purposes of our jobs. Getting the work done is important, even if our motivation is not perfect. In the long run, however, motivation does matter, and the only Christ-like motivation is love.

If we find our ambitions stray toward selfishness, we can ask God to heal our hearts.

We hope this plan encouraged you. You can find more plans from the Theology of Work Project at www.theologyofwork.org/devotions