God and My Emotions: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Get Rich Or Die Tryin’

Is personal ambition good? You bet. You need ambition to go looking for that first job while in high school, to enroll in a decent college, tough it through brutal courses in statistics and calculus, and hit the job market. You need ambition to present yourself, rise up in the business world, and gain people’s respect. But at what point does ambition get sick? When does ambition become greed, selfishness, manipulation of others, and nothing more than the satisfaction of your own appetites?

The apostle James is brutal on those whose desires and appetites consume them. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:1-2)

How can you make sure that your ambition stays in bounds? Listen to your family – they will tell you the truth if you’ve sold out. Listen to Christian friends – they will tell you if you’re no fun to be with anymore. Most of all, listen to the Word of your God. Realize that every nickel you have is His investment in you and that true satisfaction comes only when you invest your money and yourself in His agenda.