Excessive ambition, money, making a name for oneself

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PANCAKES

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2009
451
14
18
#1
Hey Ladies and Gents, long time no post! I have a question for you...

I'm having some strange new desires that I think about now that I have not had before. Number 1, accumulating money....all I have been thinking about lately is money money MONEY!! I am not in debt. I don't need more money. The income I make currently is just fine. I can pay my bills. I have a savings. Everything is wonderful.... yet, I want more?

Number 2, I keep looking for a different career for the sole purpose of number 1 above AND to make a name for myself with a fancy title that I can take pride in. I know there is nothing wrong with nice paying jobs and the titles they come with if the person with that job really wanted THAT job (pure motives for taking the job) and doesn't just go after it for the money and title.

My current job was a gift from God, from beginning to end, there is no doubt about that. The whole schooling process was a spiritual and faith growth opportunity, and I AM so thankful for everything he provided (I really am!). So why is it that I keep suffering from excessive want? UGH I HATE SIN SO MUCH! if it's not one thing it's another, I am so sick and tired of my own damn sin that keeps separating me from the God who is all that is good in life. Like David said, "You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing." I know this. I need prayer that I don't keep getting swayed left and right from one thing to another.

ps. yes I am studying the word daily and spending time in prayer daily.

Anyone else have this experience?
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#2
PRO. 25:16.
Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.

MATT. 6:34.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

PHI. 4:8.
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
 

mar09

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2014
4,927
1,259
113
#3
No pancakes, I havent had such experience. But i am prompted to post a reply=). This probably just a phase or distraction, so be patient w/ yourself.

There is something abt singing God's word that i just wonder about. I'm one of those who you could say have simple pleasures, like finding a new version or cover of an old song can lift me up the whole day. I think you know Phil. 4.8, and singing those words have done me great help when little things distract or bother me. As i like to do when possible, i turn on the computer early to listen to Christian radio or utube and do some quick work here or other. One day recently, i heard the angelic song "I hear angels,"which i forwarded to a sister. And as i was on fast and travelling that day, i found myself repeating the song in my head almost all the way abt 2 hr. Some long trips can make me slightly nauseous bef. reaching destination, and that was one such time, but idk... the words and song just kept repeating, wc helped me deal w/ the moving and stopping motion of bus while i was almost hungry also before lunch!

Anyway, here is one song you may want to meditate on the words.
[video=youtube;tRtkeFBGYM8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRtkeFBGYM8[/video]
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
13,320
113
#4
Hey Ladies and Gents, long time no post! I have a question for you...

I'm having some strange new desires that I think about now that I have not had before. Number 1, accumulating money....all I have been thinking about lately is money money MONEY!! I am not in debt. I don't need more money. The income I make currently is just fine. I can pay my bills. I have a savings. Everything is wonderful.... yet, I want more?

Number 2, I keep looking for a different career for the sole purpose of number 1 above AND to make a name for myself with a fancy title that I can take pride in. I know there is nothing wrong with nice paying jobs and the titles they come with if the person with that job really wanted THAT job (pure motives for taking the job) and doesn't just go after it for the money and title.

My current job was a gift from God, from beginning to end, there is no doubt about that. The whole schooling process was a spiritual and faith growth opportunity, and I AM so thankful for everything he provided (I really am!). So why is it that I keep suffering from excessive want? UGH I HATE SIN SO MUCH! if it's not one thing it's another, I am so sick and tired of my own damn sin that keeps separating me from the God who is all that is good in life. Like David said, "You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing." I know this. I need prayer that I don't keep getting swayed left and right from one thing to another.

ps. yes I am studying the word daily and spending time in prayer daily.

Anyone else have this experience?
Hi Pancakes,
I am of the view that God chooses some to be rich, not solely for their own sake, but to be generous through them. I would suggest that instead of simply rejecting this desire for wealth and prestige, that you take it to Jesus and ask Him for insight. God may be doing that kind of work through you. It also may be that He wants you to surrender these desires and be content in what He gives you... but don't assume that from the start. God is bigger than our understanding, even when we think we're on the right track. :)
 

PANCAKES

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2009
451
14
18
#5
Hi Pancakes,
I am of the view that God chooses some to be rich, not solely for their own sake, but to be generous through them. I would suggest that instead of simply rejecting this desire for wealth and prestige, that you take it to Jesus and ask Him for insight. God may be doing that kind of work through you. It also may be that He wants you to surrender these desires and be content in what He gives you... but don't assume that from the start. God is bigger than our understanding, even when we think we're on the right track. :)
Thank you, you are right... I do need to ask Jesus for insight and not just assume anything from the start. Thanks for the reminder :)
 
Feb 5, 2017
1,118
36
0
#6
There is nothing wrong with wanting more, if it is so that you can give more. This is a spiritual motivation but tends not to be the motivation behind 'more', if it is sub-consciously based. I asked God about my observation of people and their aspirations, the answer I got was this (abridged). Yes I write down my conversations. Anyway, hope there is maybe something here that inspires a different thought about things. :)

Purpose is within such things that do not invoke self-importance. When self-importance is suspended, your being (point of presence and perspective) is what brings meaning and purpose forthright. To love and serve all others. Because, what does one achieve, if to achieve is to attain, and if that attainment is without love and a sense of servitude? Your soul would feel empty, and one would feel that they are still looking for their purpose and in the process, need more. It is not true that some love to control or be powerful. For some if not many, I do not exist presently, directly; synchronistically. I am simply a void, an empty nothingness that is out there (in their present perception). They fill that void with a love that is synthetic, and of their own construct, even in my name.

From another conversation:

Being regards no separation between what you are doing and what you are being, but doing without being is a lonesome burden.
 
Dec 8, 2017
239
2
0
#7
Hey Ladies and Gents, long time no post! I have a question for you...

I'm having some strange new desires that I think about now that I have not had before. Number 1, accumulating money....all I have been thinking about lately is money money MONEY!! I am not in debt. I don't need more money. The income I make currently is just fine. I can pay my bills. I have a savings. Everything is wonderful.... yet, I want more?

Number 2, I keep looking for a different career for the sole purpose of number 1 above AND to make a name for myself with a fancy title that I can take pride in. I know there is nothing wrong with nice paying jobs and the titles they come with if the person with that job really wanted THAT job (pure motives for taking the job) and doesn't just go after it for the money and title.

My current job was a gift from God, from beginning to end, there is no doubt about that. The whole schooling process was a spiritual and faith growth opportunity, and I AM so thankful for everything he provided (I really am!). So why is it that I keep suffering from excessive want? UGH I HATE SIN SO MUCH! if it's not one thing it's another, I am so sick and tired of my own damn sin that keeps separating me from the God who is all that is good in life. Like David said, "You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing." I know this. I need prayer that I don't keep getting swayed left and right from one thing to another.

ps. yes I am studying the word daily and spending time in prayer daily.

Anyone else have this experience?
have you tried reading the four gospels, new testament? if you have then read it again because if you had you wouldn't be posting this don't ask your religious leaders on this because they will tell you what benefits them so ask Jesus , of course only ask Jesus if you want his guidance but if you want guidance from the world well then ask your religious leaders
 
Dec 8, 2017
239
2
0
#8
false prophets teach that wealth is linked with righteousness
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#9
false prophets teach that wealth is linked with righteousness
The very first man God came to, Abraham, was one of the richest in several countries, and righteous.... then so was his son.... and then his grandson. The first man the Bible tells about, Job, was fabulously wealthy. And all sorts of other followers were also.

So you can put that "God wants us to be poor" nonsense where it belongs.... in the trash.
 
Feb 7, 2015
22,418
413
0
#10
PANCAKES, PM me if you want to know of God's real plan for Christians and their money.
 

Dan58

Senior Member
Nov 13, 2013
1,991
337
83
#14
Hey Ladies and Gents, long time no post! I have a question for you...

I'm having some strange new desires that I think about now that I have not had before. Number 1, accumulating money....all I have been thinking about lately is money money MONEY!! I am not in debt. I don't need more money. The income I make currently is just fine. I can pay my bills. I have a savings. Everything is wonderful.... yet, I want more?

Number 2, I keep looking for a different career for the sole purpose of number 1 above AND to make a name for myself with a fancy title that I can take pride in. I know there is nothing wrong with nice paying jobs and the titles they come with if the person with that job really wanted THAT job (pure motives for taking the job) and doesn't just go after it for the money and title.

My current job was a gift from God, from beginning to end, there is no doubt about that. The whole schooling process was a spiritual and faith growth opportunity, and I AM so thankful for everything he provided (I really am!). So why is it that I keep suffering from excessive want? UGH I HATE SIN SO MUCH! if it's not one thing it's another, I am so sick and tired of my own damn sin that keeps separating me from the God who is all that is good in life. Like David said, "You are my Lord, apart from you I have no good thing." I know this. I need prayer that I don't keep getting swayed left and right from one thing to another.

ps. yes I am studying the word daily and spending time in prayer daily.

Anyone else have this experience?

When Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days, he overcame the flesh, the world, and the devil.. That's the same struggle we each need to face. Its a constant battle, but we must remember that his kingdom is not of this world, and nothing in this world is as valuable as his word (wisdom). The peace Christ gives us is the contentment that can't be found in the world. A different job, more money, or anything else is not what your really looking for. As my grandma always said; "I'll give you a pound of worldly smarts for an ounce of Godly wisdom any day". Here's a non-biblical parable that illustrates the point I'm trying to make;

[FONT=book\ antiqua][FONT=book\ antiqua] A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream.

[FONT=book\ antiqua] The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. [/FONT]
[FONT=book\ antiqua] The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] She did so without hesitation.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] I’ve been thinking, he said.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone.
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] – Unknown
[/FONT]

[FONT=book\ antiqua] [/FONT]
[/FONT]
[/FONT]



 

Deade

Called of God
Dec 17, 2017
16,724
10,529
113
77
Vinita, Oklahoma, USA
yeshuaofisrael.org
#15
Hi Pancakes, that lack of contentment is your flesh. Romans 7:18: "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." :cool:
 

Jeshuvan

Pastor
Staff member
Apr 15, 2012
221
2
0
#16
hi pancakes God will supply you all through his riches,he makes rich in all areas of life where you wont feel sad,just glad.A man who had much but wanted more in new testament he was building bigger places to store,God called him a fool.Matthew 6:33 seek God first his righteousness he will add everything else.he will withhold nothing from them that love him.You want more give more away so that you can give even more away be that blessing that God created you to be,for his Glory only.It truly seems like you have a lot now ,just be content,joyous and peaceful thankful.God knows best,trust him eye has not seen ear has not heard what God has in store them that truly love and serve him.Amen Jeshuvan hope this helps you.
 

PANCAKES

Senior Member
Apr 26, 2009
451
14
18
#17
Thank you all so much for the reply's, I appreciate it. Still frustrated by the flesh, but I will keep some of the above and post them on my wall as a reminder.

Thanks again, love to all
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#18
Job 31:24-28 If I have put my confidence in gold, And called fine gold my trust, If I have gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had secured so much; If I have looked at the sun when it shone or the moon going in splendor, And my heart became secretly enticed, And my hand threw a kiss from my mouth, That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

Psalm 52:6-7 The righteous will see and fear, And will laugh at him, saying, "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abundance of his riches And was strong in his evil desire."

Proverbs 11:28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

Jeremiah 49:4 How boastful you are about the valleys! Your valley is flowing away, O backsliding daughter who trusts in her treasures, saying, 'Who will come against me?'

Ezekiel 28:5 By your great wisdom, by your trade You have increased your riches And your heart is lifted up because of your riches

Psalm 62:10 Do not trust in oppression and do not vainly hope in robbery; If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

Proverbs 18:23 The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.

Proverbs 28:11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes, But the poor who has understanding sees through him.

Job 20:17-20 He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds. He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them. For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built. Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires.

Proverbs 15:6 Great wealth is in the house of the righteous, But trouble is in the income of the wicked.

Proverbs 30:8-9 Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion, That I not be full and deny You and say, "Who is the LORD?" Or that I not be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

Deuteronomy 32:15 Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; filled with food, they became heavy and sleek. They abandoned the God who made them and rejected the Rock their Savior.

Nehemiah 9:25-26 They captured fortified cities and a fertile land They took possession of houses full of every good thing, Hewn cisterns, vineyards, olive groves, Fruit trees in abundance So they ate, were filled and grew fat, And reveled in Your great goodness. "But they became disobedient and rebelled against You, And cast Your law behind their backs And killed Your prophets who had admonished them So that they might return to You, And they committed great blasphemies.

Hosea 13:6 As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, And being satisfied, their heart became proud; Therefore they forgot Me.

Proverbs 23:4 Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.

Haggai 1:3-5 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways!

Leviticus 19:13 You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning.

Deuteronomy 24:12-15 If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. When the sun goes down you shall surely return the pledge to him, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you; and it will be righteousness for you before the LORD your God. You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your countrymen or one of your aliens who is in your land in your towns.

Proverbs 22:16 He who oppresses the poor to make more for himself or who gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

Isaiah 1:23 Your rulers are rebels And companions of thieves; Everyone loves a bribe And chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, Nor does the widow's plea come before them.

Jeremiah 22:13 Woe to him who builds his house without righteousness And his upper rooms without justice, Who uses his neighbor's services without pay And does not give him his wages,

Micah 6:12 For the rich men of the city are full of violence, Her residents speak lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

Malachi 3:5 Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the LORD of hosts.

Job 31:24, 25, 28 If I have put my confidence in gold, And called fine gold my trust, If I have gloated because my wealth was great, And because my hand had secured so much; ... That too would have been an iniquity calling for judgment, For I would have denied God above.

Psalm 52:7 Behold,the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abundance of his riches And was strong in his evil desire."

Proverbs 18:11 A rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own imagination.
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#19
Matthew 4:9-10 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’”.

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Matthew 13:22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Matthew 19:21-22Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

Mark 4:19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Mark 10:21-22 Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Luke 6:20 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. 24 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.

Luke 8:14 The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

Luke 12:13-21 [SUP]13 [/SUP]Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”[SUP]14 [/SUP]Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” [SUP]15 [/SUP]Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” [SUP]16 [/SUP]And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. [SUP]17 [/SUP]He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ [SUP]18 [/SUP]“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. [SUP]19 [/SUP]And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ [SUP]20 [/SUP]“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ [SUP]21 [/SUP]“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth

Luke 16:19-21 Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man's table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores … 25 But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony

Luke 18:22-23 When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when he had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

1 Timothy 3:3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

1 Timothy 6:8-9 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

James 2:6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Is it not the rich who oppress you and personally drag you into court?

James 5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.