James 3

13 Who among you is wise and understanding. By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and deny the truth.

15 Such wisdom is not from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition there is disorder and every evil practice.

            There are many people walking this earth who are considered wise and are especially wise in their own eyes. The American dream is often fueled by selfish-ambition. Looking out for number one. Climbing the ladder of success no matter who you have to step on to get to the top. Keeping up with the Joneses fills us with bitter envy, as we want what they have or better for ourselves. And boasting is definitely a part of it, as we want others to know our successes and what we have. Often when someone shares stories of their successes and treasures, there is someone else who has a “better” story or treasure to share.

            This is not of God. This is worldly and evil. Paul said, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness, and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are futile.” (I Corinthians 3:19-20)

            For most of my adult life, I pursued careers and degrees that would put letters after my name or give me a reputation that could be admired and make me feel important. When I began my pursuit of hospital chaplaincy, I believe my heart was in the right place. I wanted to be with people who were going through very difficult and sometimes traumatic times with the love of God and serving them to His glory. But there were a couple of times when a shiny treasure from this world turned my head, trying to distract me.

            While I was in seminary taking on a full-time semester, I was presented with the opportunity of serving as a fire department chaplain in a local township. I talked with the fire chief who was attending my church, and he told me he would have t-shirts and a jacket made for me that say “CHAPLAIN” on the back. I was excited!! Look how important I would be. People would see that name on the back of my jacket or shirt and I would really be something. But, one thing I didn’t give a lot of thought to was who and how I would be serving. A few days into considering this wonderful opportunity, I found myself tossing and turning in bed. God was making it very clear that this was not for me. I was reminded of my seminary demands and my family and just couldn’t add another thing. I was also reminded of my attitude. I wanted to do it for the wrong reasons…selfish-ambition. God clearly said, “No.” The next morning, I turned down the opportunity.

            Several years later, I was serving as hospital chaplain in a small town hospital. I saw an ad for a volunteer police chaplain for the city of Indianapolis. I applied and was called for an interview. I met with the head chaplain at a local coffee shop where he shared with me the duties I would have and then the enemy brought out the bells and whistles. “You’ll get a car, a badge and a radio.” I was so excited, once again, almost dismissing what my duties would be. In the weeks that followed, I was in touch with the head chaplain, toured the chaplain’s office at police headquarters and was fingerprinted and background checked so I could get started. But another person who applied for the position had objections and complaints and, instead, to the head chaplain’s disappointment, was given the position by the police chief. God said, “No.”

            In his commentary on James, David Guzik wrote, “Those who do their works in a way designed to bring attention to themselves show how they lack true wisdom.”[1] It’s all about God, His Kingdom, His wisdom, His ways. It’s not about us.

[1] Guzik, Blue Letter Bible