Life on Mars ContentContentment and Greed
One of my great joys in life is thinking. I love to think about possibilities, about problems, about people and about dreams. I always have (close at hand) paper or a digital device to record my various thinking trips.
I was recently thinking about what it means to be content as a Christian leader. Should I be content with where I am in the scheme of things, or should I be ambitious to do more and have greater responsibility? Should I be content with the amount of fruit I am seeing in my work with, and for, Jesus, or should I be asking for more and higher quality fruit?
When does contentment spiral downward and become complacency, sloth or mediocrity? And when does the desire for greater responsibility degenerate into selfish ambition which Paul clearly warns against “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (”Philippians 2:3 -NIV). Paul seems to encourage “ambition” in I Timothy 3:1 where he says, “The saying is trustworthy. If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. (ESV) ”
I personally want to find a healthy balance between going for broke, experiencing everything Jesus wants for me, reaching my full potential in Jesus and doing it all for the right reasons. I neither want to be lazy in the name of contentment or greedy in the name of aspiration.
I know that The Message Bible is not a translation but a combination of translation, paraphrase and commentary all rolled into one. Having said that I still very much enjoy reading it and find that it resonates with me in fresh and creative ways.
I was recently impressed with I Timothy 6: 6-9 (The Message) “A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet that’s enough. But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time.” I was captured by the phrase, “but if it’s only money these leaders are after.” I prayerfully asked myself some questions along the lines of contentment and greed. What am I really after? Is it money? Is it position? Is it popularity, respect or results? Is it to build God’s kingdom or to build my own kingdom? Is it to really care for other people, or to use people to care for myself? What are my true motives? What am I Really after.really?
As you see, I have lots of questions. Maybe you can furnish some answers for me and others by offering your comments.
I don’t think it’s ever greedy to “hunger and thirst after righteousness” … but I know how easy it is for me to mask selfish ambition as a pursuit of righteousness. One question I try to ask myself as a check and balance against financial greed is, “Would I still have this same ambition or aspiration if there was no pay-off in it for me?”
And then, of course, there are the words of Jesus that I can’t escape: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Puts a lump in my throat every time.
Pastor Doug Busby pointed out to me that Jesus’ disciples had a real drive for greatness that could be construed as selfish ambition. Jesus never condemned it, but told them how to become truly great in His kingdom (e.g. humility, childlikeness, putting all others first, losing one’s life for His sake, etc., as you mentioned above).
I sometimes have a tendency to not do things that can glorify God just because I realize that doing them may result in a pay-off for me, but that too is selfish. We are encouraged commanded) to store up treasures — but not here.
We have this in common, Pr. Dave, that we are thinkers. I dare say that we are deep thinkers; i sometimes do get bogged down with over analysis though, which is a rough edge the Holy Spirit is working in and with me upon (Phil 1:6).
I think the main difference is to be found in our motivation(s). Am i seeking after comfort and security; or am i seeking to further Jesus’ fame in the time and place He has soveriegnly established for me? This gets close to the heart of the matter, methinks.
Yet another question i’ve found useful is this. Am i seeking His rewards over His Person? As another has stated above, we ought to be seeking His rewards, esp. in the afterlife. But if we are only seeking His rewards, at the expense of seeking out His Person and Character then we have missed His mark by a country mile.
We must always be careful to keep His word, to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness; which are found in His Person and Character, not merely His rewards.
I might even go out on a limb with stating that if we seek only His rewards, at the expense of seeking His Person, then we stunt our own growth in His ‘Kingdom and Righteousness.’ It is questionable whether we truly receive anything of the Lord, if we have this relationship between Himself and His rewards out of order?
He, and He alone, is our greatest reward! (Psalm 19)
….And not to be overlooked, God to Abram in Genesis 15:1b; “I AM your great reward….” Other reliable translations have this statement rendered as, “you reward is very (exceedingly) great.”
great thought provoking stuff. I like the balance that you achieved in your blog. It’s tuff to find balance in real life. But where it’s found it seems to bring true strength. You guys are great!