Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
There was a study performed in 2021 and it was determined 21 million Americans experienced major depressive episodes. Which is around 8.5 percent of the adult population in America. The average of the rest of the world is a bit over 5 percent. So why would the percentage be so high for the United States? Also of note, we are the richest country in the world. So the pursuit of money and material things is a major cultural influence.
Selfish ambition leads to a lot of worked hours. Time spent seeking more and little time spent resting and enjoying what God has given us. In comparison, the serfs of 13th century England worked less than the average American. Significantly less, working around 1600 hours a year. Most of us work 2080 or more a year. We would consider those in the 13th century indentured servants. I am not saying to not work and be productive. We need work. But if you are seeking the almighty dollar more than anything, then your heart is not serving God. Money has taken His place.
We need to stop and take a long survey of our lives. If there is anything more important in your life than Jesus, you are serving another God. Stop and look around. Stuff is everywhere and it gets corrupted over time. Your soul endures forever. The question is where will it reside for eternity? If you do not seek Him now there will be no later.
Key Takeaways
- Philippians 2:3 encourages humility and valuing others over oneself.
- A study showed that 21 million Americans suffer from major depressive episodes, linked to cultural factors like materialism.
- Selfish ambition leads to excessive work hours, contrasting with historical labor expectations.
- We must assess our priorities; if anything is more important than Jesus, we risk serving another god.
- Material possessions fade, but the soul is eternal; seek God now for lasting fulfillment.


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