Daily Encouragement: Getting Ahead

We still have many excellent subjects to cover in this chapter of Leviticus. I pray that those of you who are new to the faith have learned much and have been encouraged in the application of what you are learning. For those who are more mature in your faith, I pray these have been a gentle reminder of what you have already acquired in your quest to grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God.

"Do not try to get ahead at the cost of your neighbor's life, for I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:16b)

Here's my first question: What are you willing to do to get ahead? At work? At school? In your social circles? In your finances?

It is not ambition that is evil--ambitions and goals are wonderful to help you stay motivated to do the very things God has called you to do. However, when our ambitions are all about "me" and do not take into account what happens to the other people who could be affected, they become selfish and do not honor God.

Read James 3:13-16 to see what the Bible says about selfish ambition:

"If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil."

If you read on a little further, you will see that James helps us out and turns it around, comparing this selfish ambition with the wisdom that God gives....

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows not partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." (James 3:17-18)

I encourage you today to seek this kind of wisdom and aspire to be peacemakers in a world full of selfish ambition and jealousy. You can do it, precious sister!