No Selfish Ambition

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18  

Give yourself the gift of the season…no selfish ambition. Seek the wisdom of the Lord. Pray and ask God for a generous portion of wisdom for yourself and your family. 

Training Tip – Teach your children by your example to be ambitious—don’t be lazy. Be eager to go to work and don’t complain about work or your coworkers at home. Endeavor to work around your home, keeping everything in working order, neat, tidy and well maintained. Teach your children to take pride in keeping their own rooms orderly and to help around the house. Make charts if necessary and reward them for a job well done…for anything they accomplish. 

Lord Jesus, give us wisdom that is gentle and comes from You. Help us not to be jealous of those who have more than we do during this season of having and giving. We don’t know how happy they are or aren’t—but we know that with you in our lives, we are at peace. Continue to grant us Your peace, joy and love today, as well as everyday in the coming weeks and in the New Year. We praise You for showing us how to live…as You lived, loving others as ourselves.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.