Philippians 2:21
"For all seek their own...........(KJV)
There is a Citi Bank commercial which advertises double cash and it features identical twins, cars, and even animals that look exactly alike. Each item would require careful examination to distinguish one from the other.
During a time of prayer, I asked God to show me one thing that has been detrimental to the growth of the Kingdom. He revealed several but the one that I will address is "ambition." I immediately thought that ambition is a good thing to have; however, ambition is only good when it is Godly.
Godly and selfish ambitions are like identical twins. We all have ambitions and, most often, we applaud them as being good. We should carefully examine our ambitions to see whether or not they are Godly or selfish. It is very difficult to distinguish one from the other.
When Paul was trying to send a leader to the Philippian church, he search through his list of contacts and chose to send Timothy. Paul stated that Timothy was his choice because "all the others seek their own." Selfish ambition was, and remains, more rampant than Godly ambition.
When we examine our ambitions ask this question "Is it gratifying or crucifying"? If it gratifies self, it's likely selfish ambition. If it requires crucifying self, it's likely Godly. Few of us would say that our ambitions are selfish. Selfishness denied does not make it Godly. Remember, they are identical twins and only after careful examination will they be properly distinguished. Pray for Godly ambitions.
