Latest / Prayer Before Work / S01E26 - MONEY & AMBITION "Wanting More Without Losing Yourself"
Transcript
- Sean Graver: Welcome to Prayer Before Work. I'm glad you carved out a few minutes before the day starts. So, let's slow things down a bit, take a breath, and let's bring this one to God. Today's topic might be one that we really don't talk about enough in this context. So, let's start with Timothy chapter 6 verses 6 through 8 which reads, for we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." Now, I don't believe the Apostle Paul is saying that ambition is wrong. And he's not saying don't grow, don't pursue, don't build. He's identifying where the real gain is, godliness with contentment. Now that combination of faithfulness with gratitude for what we have is actually the more valuable asset because it travels with you regardless of the number on your paycheck. know, ambition isn't the problem. Ambition that's not connected with contentment is the problem. So when the next level is always the one that will finally feel like enough, When the salary increase arrives and within three months you're already dissatisfied with it. When you achieve a goal you've worked long and hard for and you're already looking past it. That's when ambition has just turned into a treadmill. So the question worth pondering today isn't like whether you should want more because wanting to grow, provide, build something meaningful, these are good things. The question is whether your sense of contentment depends on getting it. Because if it does, you've handed control of your peace to something that will always keep moving. Godliness with contentment. Work hard, build well, and hold it all loosely enough that it doesn't own you. Well, God, I want to be honest about my relationship with ambition and money, Some of it's good, a desire to provide for my family, to build things of value, and to use what you've given me well, but I know that I can hold it too tightly, and I know the difference. And help me today to work hard and pursue well without letting the outcome determine my sense of peace. Help me find the contentment that doesn't require a certain number to feel secure. Remind me that what I'm building here is temporary and what you're building in me is not. Help me to keep that order right today. I want to hold all of it loosely in Jesus' name. Amen. Now let's go make today count.