Competition

Competition

Can competition be constructive?

God’s Response

Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace. 1 Corinthians 15:10

“Move up or move over.” “Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” These are the slogans of a world driven by competition. Competition can be destructive when infected with selfish ambition and sinful pride. It destroys relationships because it hardens your heart toward fairness and compassion. But when properly focused, competition can drive us to improve ourselves and sharpen our skills. The apostle Paul was competitive and God used his verbal and organizational skills to reach enormous numbers of people for Jesus while establishing churches throughout the world. Competition should bring out the best in you, not the worst.

God’s Challenge

Don’t store up treasures here on earth. . . . Store your treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19-20