The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson on the tenth commandment goes with the sermon " Enough Is Enough."
Reflecting on joy elicits nuanced reflections on covetousness, contentment, and complacency, and to their relationship that begins by questioning the relationship between contentment and ambition. Are the two mutually exclusive? Put differently, is it possible to be content and ambitious? Or does the first preclude the second? Clearly, if joy is defined in terms of inner contentment, and inner contentment and ambition are mutually exclusive, we have a problem. Ambitious people will never experience joy.
The New Testament comments on both being content and being ambitious. Regarding being content, Paul writes in Philippians 4: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (v. 11) and “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (v. 12). And yet, he no doubt he preferred “living in plenty” to “living in want.” And the writer of the book of Hebrews instructs his readers: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (13:5). Being content is clearly a good thing.
When it comes to being ambitious, the New Testament condemns “selfish ambition,” or ambition rooted in improper desires, for example, the desire for something that belongs to someone else or something unseemly. Paul condemns “selfish ambition” in a number of passages (Gal 5:20; Php 1:17; 2:3), but distinguishes it from “ambition” that he approves of in two passages (Ro 15:20; 1Th 4:11). James shares Paul’s negative view of “selfish ambition.” He writes: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” (3:13-16). The takeaway from these passages is simple. There is a difference between contentment and apathy or complacency. Clearly, “selfish ambition” is a bad thing.
Dave Ramsey offers some helpful comments, observing that ambition is not the opposite of contentment. In his answer to the question “How do you balance contentment with ambition?” he writes:
“To be honest, I don’t believe they require balance. You thought ambition was the opposite of contentment, didn’t you? I don’t look at it that way. It’s not like a teeter-totter. They don’t have to balance out because they’re not on the same spectrum.
“I’m content and ambitious. I’m content with what we have and what God has entrusted to us. On the other hand, I’m not content to sit around and do nothing just because we’ve been blessed. To me, that kind of attitude is not contentment, it’s apathy. I do what I do because I’m passionate about helping people. You can have peace and contentment and at the same time be a real go-getter—the kind of person who still moves stuff around and makes things happen. They’re not inconsistent concepts. I think problems are created when ambitious people are driven by a lack of contentment . . .
“More than anything, I think it has to do with what’s driving your ambition. If discontentment or a quest for ‘stuff’ is the motivating factor, then maybe they are on the same spectrum. But I think that’s a really bad way to live your life. You can get tons and tons of stuff, but no matter what you get or how much you get, you’re still not going to really be happy until you find contentment!”
Central Message of the Text
Craving wrong things as well as desiring anyone else’s things are both prohibited by the tenth commandment.
Family Talk
This past January, my family moved into a very unique house, and we had countless ideas to make it our own. I found myself with list after list of things I wanted, projects that needed to be done, things we needed to get, etc. My sole focus quickly became the house and all the things we didn’t have. After some unforeseen circumstances, we were forced to let go of, or set aside, all our wants and plans, almost as if God was telling us to sit in and be thankful for what He had already provided, instead of longing for what we thought we needed/ wanted. This makes me think of the numerous conversations with my daughter about things that she wants or thinks she needs. Just like I did with the house, she finds things that she likes and puts them on her “wish list” and I can see the disappointment in her face when I tell her that she can’t have something. It becomes so easy for us to focus on the things that we want, instead of all the things that God has already provided us with, which leads to feelings of discontentment and dissatisfaction. We can replace coveting in our hearts with thanksgiving and trusting God. What areas do you need to be thankful for? In what areas do you need to trust God with what He’s given you or where He has you? This week, ask God to remind you and your kids of the things to be thankful for, and for the things to trust Him with. We are praying for you!