I’m going to be honest with you.
I want to be great.
I want to be a successful worship leader.
I want to be a great husband and father.
I want to be great at making money and providing for my family.
I want to be recognized as a leader.
But…
I also want to give God all the glory.
I want to make His name great with every breath I breathe.
What about you?
Are you diminishing the glory of God by having personal ambition?
My friend Sammy started a helpful conversation surrounding this idea on this post last week. Sammy brought up a great point in 2 Samuel 7 – a beautiful conversation between God and King David.
On the one hand, God says to David in verse 9:
“And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth.”
But David turns around and says:
“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far…? Your name will be magnified forever.”
God says he’s going to make David great. David says he’s going to magnify God’s greatness.
Confused?
It’s Not A Sin To Be Great, But It Could Be
I don’t think there’s a problem if you’re healthy, wealthy, popular, or powerful.
The question is, what do you do with your greatness?
How do you pursue your greatness and God’s greatness at the same time?
As I thought about it, and peered into God’s Word, here’s what I found:
1. Pursue Greatness For the Glory of God
The Bible says to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” Pure ambition to want more, do more, have more is a wrong way to pursue greatness. We should “do all to the glory of God” (I Cor. 10:31).
That tells me that anything I pursue that is not rooted in glorifying God, is wrong. It’s temporal, self-centered, limited.
Ask yourself this question, “Is what I’m doing going to bring more attention to Jesus or to my own clever abilities?” Seek to draw attention to the Master in whatever you do.
2. Pursue Greatness For the Service of Others
In what ways am I making others great?
How am I raising up the next generation and making others better?
At the end of my life, I don’t want to stand alone with my accolades. I want to stand with the people I’ve poured into.
At the end of Paul’s life on earth, he calls his disciples his joy and crown (Phil. 4:1). Not the books of the Bible he wrote, or the sick he healed, or the incredible sermons he preached.
People.
That was his joy.
That was his honor.
That, my friend, was his greatness.
3. Pursue Greatness To Leave A Legacy
The Apostle Paul wasn’t just a great leader on earth. He was a man of greatness because of what happened after he was gone.
The church didn’t just rise and fall on Paul’s abilities.
His greatness was in leaving a legacy.
What will happen when you are gone?
Will the vision you stand for continue, or is it all about you?
History forgets people who only lived for themselves.
The remembered live and breathe a vision larger than life.
It’s Your Choice
Are you pursuing greatness for the glory of God?
Are you pursuing greatness to serve others?
Are you pursuing greatness to leave a lasting legacy?
If all you’re after is money, a name, and fame for yourself, go for it. Just don’t call it “glorifying God.”
But if you want to join the ranks of greatness, make the glory of God your highest joy.
To bring him pleasure is what you crave. To see him treasured in the hearts of others is what makes you get out of bed. To magnify the greatness of God is your highest aim.
When it comes down to it, I want MY greatness to be overshadowed by GOD’S greatness.
The ministry I do, the business I pursue, the goals I accomplish – may they serve to shine ever so brightly upon the glory and goodness of God.
Because without HIM, we can do nothing.
Question: Will you join me? How are you pursuing greatness to serve a higher purpose? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
David,
Great thoughts! I like your line of thinking with this post. I think it all comes back to motivations. One of my favorite all-time sermons is by Tim Keller (Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City). He had a sermon about the “Prodigal Sons.” The sermon is about the older son’s attitude when his younger brother returns from his rebellion and sin.
It is a powerful sermon that convicted me deeply. We are humans and (I think) by default it is a challenge to stay humble. There is a piece inside of us that thinks we must be doing something right for God to bless us so handsomely.
But, that is a slippery slope. It all comes back to the fact that we are unworthy of anything from God. We (as humans) are all one step from bad, bad things and THAT should keep us humble in our “greatness.” Very deep post and one that could be explored more deeply. Thanks for starting the conversation.
I like that, Jason. No matter how “great” we become in this world, we’ll never rise above our need to lay prostrate at the foot of the cross. That makes pursuing greatness an act of humility because we’re seeking to magnify Jesus, wouldn’t you agree?
Wow…very…”deep” post David…I like it…
I’m been pouring my teachings or “storytellings” with a bible study that I lead called “Da Spot”. Their ages are from 13-18…and I love it!
I want to invest my life into them…
It’s been about 2 years i’ve been with them…I’m beginning to see that investment having a return…To God’s Glory!!!
That’s awesome, Arny. How did you come up with the name “Da Spot”. What’s that refer to?
I didn’t…lol…
My Pastor came up with it…I don’t know where he got it from…
A a bible study through our church…
I could tell you how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this post, David. But I’d rather ask a question to extend the conversation:
You said.
“That tells me that anything I pursue that is not rooted in glorifying God, is wrong.”
So my question is, “How do you qualify what is and isn’t glorifying to God?”
Can a person selling crafts online glorify God? Can a small business owner glorify God? Can a bartender glorify God?
What does that look like to you?
I think it’s a matter of intention and the fruit of a transformed life. When God saves you, His glory becomes your highest aim, passion, and treasure. You begin to realize that it’s not about temporal fame and pleasure but about eternal reward. Anything, other than sin, can be done to the glory of God.
When I read the Scripture, “do all to the glory of God”, I apply that as a command, not as a nice suggestion.
So of all those things you mentioned, yes, I believe you could glorify God in all those ways. The bartender role could be up for debate. Anyone else?
Tony, I’d like to answer your question too. It does not matter what we do, we can Glorify Him. Whether we “bartend” clean restrooms, or pastor a church. The Word tells us to do everything as if we are doing it for Him. And I take that to be literally.
One may say something like, “Am I really glorifying God while cleaning toilets?” And the answer is yes. Are you doing your best? Are you taking shortcuts? It’s about intentions and effort.
But how do you make the distinction? I think that’s key.
I’m sure there are people cleaning toilets and glorifying God and there are others preaching the Gospel and not glorifying God.
How do you qualify it? It has to be more than what you do, right?
Same question to you again, David. You didn’t really answer it completely. What do you mean by intention and fruit? Intentionally cleaning a toilet? The fruit of a clean toilet?
I’m not giving you a hard time, I just think these are questions we need to ask. I have my thoughts but I want to hear what everyone else has to say first.
It’s being mindful of God in the activity. It’s worshiping Jesus in the act of cleaning a toilet. It’s intentionally living your life for the glory of God.
Wow, deep stuff. I’m exhausted already and it’s not even 10:00 yet! 🙂
It means that cleaning Toilets doesn’t define you. It means you can clean a heck out of a toilet. It means you did it right and the manager takes notice and says…”Hey!, your’re a heck of toilet cleaner! You are never late to work, I never hear you cuss, You are always in good standing with people here…man…how do you do it?…
BAM!!!!!! Here is your chance, the toilet cleaner, to share the Gospel and Jesus!…
That’s the way I look at it anyway….what do i know! lol….
HIGH FIVE, Arny!
I would be a tad liberal with the “always” and “never” statements but so far you did the best job of giving a real answer to this question! Awesome, dude!
The question begs to be asked, can you really glorify God while bartending? I’m not saying you can’t, just thinking out loud. The act of bartending is aiding some people in destroying their lives, to be honest. I know not everyone who goes to bars is killing their family and squandering their paychecks, but it is common.
What do you think?
David, you make a good point. And I agree whole heartedly.
Tony, I would ask the question, “Why do we need to qualify it?” I can pray and check my motives and know instantly whether I am doing something out of selfish ambition or for Him. But to qualify it for others, isn’t something I’m comfortable doing.
The bartending thing is sticky for me because of what alcohol does to people’s ability to discern what is right and wrong. Is bartending a sin? Maybe not, but I’d have a problem serving people drinks knowing that they’re mentally “gone.”
On the flip-side, Jesus spent a good chunk of his time with prostitutes, adulterers, thieves and tax collectors, so there has to be a way to connect the dots here. Maybe the issue isn’t “can they glorify God” but “how will they glorify God?” I’d ask a Christian bartender, why do you bartend, and how do you glorify God through that livelihood?
I struggle with this as well. My question is this: is the pursuit of influence necessary at all? If we pursue God wholeheartedly first of all, will He not direct us exactly where we need to go, and perhaps that’s as an unknown dishwasher in a restaurant, working for the glory of God?
I wonder if you’re questions should be changed to “Are you pursuing…the glory of God? Are you serving others? Are you leaving a lasting legacy?” All three of those things can be done without pursuing greatness.
Some things to ponder, I’ve also added some deeper thoughts on my own blog here: http://iamanoffering.com/blog/how-to-be-an-offering-banishing-pride-in-position/.
Ryan, I love your question.
I don’t see a problem with pursuing influence. I think if we just generally say we’re going to live our lives “for the glory of God” we might not end up actually doing anything. Setting goals, getting specific, aiming your life in a certain direction, and raising your influence are important things in my book. God does raise up and tear down, but also believe he’s given us freedom to do stuff with our lives…for His glory. I want to be great but I want my greatness to reflect Jesus, not my talent or skill or clever marketing. Know what I mean?
Hey Ryan. Influence is a non-negotiable. We’re called to disciple the nations and bring Him glory in everything we do. We cannot disciple without influence. The question isn’t if influence is necessary. The question is “What are you doing with your influence?”
I see you have a blog. So do I. What we write means nothing if we don’t have influence. We all seek it inherently because we were all created for greatness (Eph. 2:10). Not for ourselves but because Jesus lives in us. I always say “I am awesome by proxy”. 🙂
God is most glorified when His children are exalted. He didn’t create us to walk around with our heads down mumbling “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.” He didn’t die for that. That’s false humility.
He called us to greatness. We are greatest when we are most humble. See James 4:10. Humility isn’t about weakness. It’s about confidence in the Source of your strength.
I heard a quote that says:
“The grace of God humbles a man without degrading him, and exalts a man without inflating him”
Wouldn’t these things be a natural by-product of pursuing greatness through God? Absolutely. But I think David hit the nail on the head here. While I’m not saying it isn’t possible, I would say it’s very difficult to have a lasting influence on people if we aren’t intentional about it. Setting goals and deadlines can more easily be measured. No, we shouldn’t be consumed by “numbers” but like David said, just living for God can easily lead to a life where we accomplished little for His glory.
Ryan, what does it “living for God” mean to you? For some people, working in the church full-time means living for God. Others (most it seems) say you can do anything and live for God.
So the question is, “What does it look like to live for God while pursing something other than full-time ministry in the church?”
How can we do something that isn’t intentionally about evangelism or discipleship (e.g. running a business) and still live for God and give Him glory? Is that even possible?
That’s the real question. Everything else is just theory and ambiguous.
Tony, I absolutely think it’s possible to live for and serve God in a way that glorifies him while working in a career outside the context of “full-time ministry.”
Before he was a king, David was a shepherd, a musician, an armor-bearer, and military general. We know that God saw him as a man after his own heart. How could God have such high esteem for David unless he was already bringing glory to God through these everyday non-full-time-ministry jobs?
Joseph was a shepherd, a servant, property manager, administrator, and eventually Egypt’s CFO. He never entered full-time ministry, yet we see that because he honored and glorified God in everything he did, God was with him and blessed him.
Before he began his full-time ministry, Jesus was a carpenter in his home town. Should we assume that our Savior, who was fully God and fully man, wasn’t able to glorify God in absolute greatness through this simple career in craftsmanship?
I think there are many people in the Bible that loved and served God outside the realm of “full-time ministry.” Like Michael said above, we’re instructed in Colossians 3:23 to “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” If it wasn’t possible for us to glorify God in our every day jobs, Paul would’ve told us to quit those jobs and go into full-time ministry.
great post, David – and quite timely!
Fantastic post, friend, and I’m loving the conversation here.
I really love that verse where Paul writes that the his disciples are his joy and crown. We think of Paul as “the greatest evangelist of all time” or “the greatest writer in the New Testament” but he viewed himself so different. Heck, he even thought himself the worst of sinners. What does this say about our priorities as leaders?
“History forgets people who only lived for themselves.” I love this line. What good can we really do if we only live for ourselves? On judgement day when we stand before Christ, do we expect him to say, “Wow, your blog was so eloquently written. And you successfully reached 1,000,000 tweets in your lifetime… bravo!”?
I’d rather be standing before Christ and have him look at all the people that are entering the Kingdom with me because of my passion, influence and legacy and simply say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Side note – did you read Jon Acuff’s post today on “The Tell”? There have been so many posts recently along these same lines. I wonder if God is trying to say something to the Christian blogging community.
Like I said above…lol…
It means that cleaning Toilets doesn’t define you. It means you can clean a heck out of a toilet. It means you did it right and the manager takes notice and says…”Hey!, your’re a heck of toilet cleaner! You are never late to work, I never hear you cuss, You are always in good standing with people here…man…how do you do it?…
BAM!!!!!! Here is your chance, the toilet cleaner, to share the Gospel and Jesus!…
That’s the way I look at it anyway….what do i know! lol….
My believe is to add values to other and possible to impact live helping other to overcome situation whether in counsel or deeds.For all these I do it unto the Lord by not thinking what will I get in return. From your material I know my pursue is in the right direction. Thank you so much.
Mark
I want to pursue God greatness to glorified God and make it to heaven above not for fame but for spiritual impartation to other to see His great deeds and let rounds chain of glory to almighty God from generation to generation of living Saint to heaven above.