November 9, 2024

Philippians 2.3 (NIV)
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.

How many times has your plan to serve God prevented you from God’s plan for you to serve?*

Many years ago I was asked to be the leader of a women’s group at our church. The first thoughts that popped into my head had to do with what people would think and would anyone be impressed if I said yes. Ashamed of my vanity, I said that I would agree to do it if they couldn’t find anyone else. They were able to fill the slot without me, but a year later I was approached again. I must have matured over those next months because this time I was able to say that I would be happy to lead a group, with no troubling doubts about my motives.

I tell that story in order to bring up this question: Does Paul really mean “do nothing” if our motives aren’t pure? He provides a partial answer to the question earlier in this letter. He is discussing some people who were preaching Christ out of selfish ambition, without sincerity, and, in fact, were hoping to cause trouble for him. He says, “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” (Philippians 1.18)

What if there had been no one else willing to lead a group that first year when I was so shallow? I could have done it and no one would have suspected a thing. Nor would I have really been doing it for the wrong reasons – my willingness to serve did not hinge on whether or not anyone was impressed. God could still have used me to be a blessing to others in spite of my shallowness. But he wanted more for me - and from me - than that. He wanted to protect me so that he could perfect me. 

You pour your heart and soul into saying a good word for Jesus, but no matter how hard you try, you get in the way.*