Our guest speaker shared during a staff lunch that he had served as the associate pastor in the same church for twenty years under several different senior pastors. Each time a senior pastor left, the deacon board asked him to take the position. Each time he turned down the offer and explained, “God called me to serve as an associate.” Wow! I thought. Seldom do you meet someone with this attitude. Too often pastors feel they must keep one eye open on their associates for fear they want his position. From our childhood, the world barrages us to believe we must be the best, which is only at the top or #1. People consider a lesser position as inferior. Sports competition vividly illustrates this. If you are a second string player, you strive to be first string. Athletes don’t compete in the Olympic to win a bronze or silver metal; they want the gold medal. If you are second chair in a music orchestra, you work to become first chair. If you are a blue-collar worker, you try to get into management. If you are vice president, you want to be president. You get the idea.
I read a story of a dad who filled out a recommendation for his daughter to attend a prestigious university. One question asked if he thought his daughter was a good leader. He responded “no” but added she was an excellent follower. The response letter from the University informed him that she was accepted with a note, “we feel we must forewarn you that she is the only follower among 700 incoming leaders.” The attitude of being at the top is not something new. James and John with the aid of their mother asked Jesus if they could sit one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory (Mar 10:37). These were the top positions in the Sanhedrin and systems of the world. Jesus answer turned their thinking upside down. “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. v26 “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, v27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave (Matt 20:25-27).
A vast difference exists between ‘being the best’ and ‘doing your best’. God did not design everyone to be the best according to world standards; He does want us to strive to do our best. He has not given everyone the same level of abilities or spiritual gifts. This is clear in the parable of the talents. To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability (Mat 25:15). The man with two talents did not possess the ability to receive five. The man who received only one did not have the ability to receive five or even two. Yet, he did have the ability to double his talent as his companions did with theirs. The master gave each one what He knew that one could handle.
Christians who are discontent and have an insatiable desire to climb to the top should ask themselves, “Why?” Possible answers include what their parents taught them; pressure to conform to the world; ego; desire to rule over others; spirit of competition; low self-esteem; or view themselves inferior because of their position. Nothing wrong with desiring to improve yourself for God, however Scripture warns against selfish ambition. The word means faction, contention, or strife. Self-ambition brings disorder and every evil thing (Jam 3:16). Some were proclaiming Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives (Phil 1:17). John cautioned the church concerning Diotrephes who loved to have first place among them (3 John 1:9). The word ‘loves first place’ is used only here and is a combination of two words, love and first. It literally means fond of being first, ambitious of distinction, or loving preeminence.
We must remember that the Holy Spirit has given us our gifts, talents, and abilities. He has placed us in the Body of Christ where He wants us. God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired; God has so composed the body; God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers . . . (I Corin 12:18, 24, 28). If He desires us in a higher place in the church or in life, He makes it happen. For not from the east, nor from the west, Nor from the desert comes exaltation; But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another (Psa 75:6, 7).
Being the best in God’s eyes is doing your best in the place He has put you. Your highest calling may be as second, or third, or fourth, etc. Seeking higher position leads to temptations to employ unethical tactics. Instead, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time (1 Pet 5:6).
Sustaining Word for the Week: First is not always best. Do your best in the place God has put you. The master called both servants good and faithful who invested what he gave them, and put them in charge of many things.