Everything is Secondary, part 4
Professional ambition must be secondary to our ambition for the gospel of God.
"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).
For the last few decades, people in the US have been driven to succeed by nearly every means possible. As a culture, we have transitioned from working harder through working smarter to working to please ourselves. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to being successful, and they share common themes: building a growth mindset, strengthening willpower, and resisting the naysayers who try to hold you back. Success, to many people, is the essence of individualism, something accomplished by hard work, drive, and intense focus on the goal. Coach Red Saunders and then Vince Lombardi summed up the cultural mindset of the last 50 years, saying something to the effect of, "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing" (Quote Investigator, 2022).
While there is some uncertainty about exactly who made the statement and the context around it, the repetition and familiarity of winning equally success provide commentary about our society, especially in the West. We succeed or win based on our own talents, our own work, and our own drive. There is no room for acquiescence or compromise, it's our way or the highway. Is it any wonder were are so divided? One group touts that a vision and hard work are the sure way to material wealth and happiness, while the other side expects the government to level the path so everyone "succeeds."
There's nothing wrong with material success, but the desire for it must be secondary to our witness and testimony for Jesus. Jesus himself was not what most of us would call "successful" and most of the disciples were working-class men at best. Jesus didn't call any of them out for not being well-known or well-respected. On the other hand, people whom our culture would call "successful" funded the work of Jesus. Matthew probably had money, even after leaving his tax shelter. Luke lists Mary of Magdala, Joanna, wife of Herod's manager, and Susanna who, along with others, provided for Jesus and his disciples out of their pocketbooks (Luke 8:1-3). Likewise, the Bible names two prominent men who likely supported Jesus and the Twelve financially: Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.
The issue of success isn't the heart of the matter. There are plenty of examples of leaders and influencers whose testimony for Jesus is undiminished by their material wealth. Tim Tebow, Steph Curry, Manny Pacquiao, Gabby Douglas, and Sara Hall are top athletes whose faith is more important to them than the sports that made them famous. They work hard to be the best at what they do, but at the end of the day, they credit their faith, not for their success, but for their focus on something (Someone) more important. Dabo Swinney said, “We’re called to love people. We’re called to serve people. And our whole philosophy of our program is to serve their heart and not their talent.”
Celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Angela Bassett, Carrie Underwood, Viola Davis, Matthew McConaughey, Chance the Rapper, and Tyler Perry all speak openly about faith. Businesses, like Forever 21, Tyson, Interstate Batteries, and Service Master join the well-known brands of Walmart, Chick-fil-A, and Hobby Lobby as successful organizations built on Christianity.
The point here is not that material success is wrong, nor is it something to which we shouldn't aspire. The point is that everything belongs to God. Any wealth or notoriety we may enjoy is a gift from God to be used for His glory, just as Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, Mary, Joanna, and Susanna did. If God has called us into a field wherein we might have influence or achieve wealth, our response is not to credit "a growth mindset." The only growth mindset we need in this world is the growth of God's kingdom. Resisting naysayers and strengthening willpower to succeed in this world requires the power of the Holy Spirit to set our minds on things above. Whatever we do and whatever our personal ambitions, we must always strive to speak Christ and His supremacy as the priority. Jesus above all.
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Great piece. I agree 100%. You know by now from my work, that I'm deeply anti-hustle culture. And, though you may disagree, not a fan of (end) stage Capitalism making the whole of existence a competition versus a cooperation. I've never been driven by money much (though I would certain welcome more) there are only certain things I'll do to get it. While I'm not very good at being a Christian, my faith and my recovery and my integrity are the most important things to me. I try as best I can to be of service and, other than asking for a girlfriend(!) I pray for the peace and well being of others and that I may be an instrument and do thy will. Thanks for your insight.