Give up selfish ambition and learn generosity toward others.
“We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!…l once ere valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” Philippians 3:3b-7.
“‘Everything is meaningless,’ says the teacher…. What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? …Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied No matter how much we hear, we are not content. Ecclesiastes 1:2-8.
“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:4,5.
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take [my thorn in the flesh] away. Each time God said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves…} Romans 12:3.
Question: What tempts you to believe that you don’t need anyone else, particularly God?
Activity: Write down something that you need to turn over to God for help. Who do you think God may have sent your way, as well, to help you out?
Prayer: Dear God, we like to think that we are self-sufficient. We like to think that we can get on along quite nicely without you or anyone else. But we still know that we are inadequate and apt to fail without help. Don’t let us forget that you designed us for companionship and for the help that comes from that. In Jesus’ name. Amen.