However, the question arises – Will a high level of diligence or promotion detract from the believer’s voluntary work for the Lord? Is it not a case of trying to serve God and mammon? Have we not seen many Christian friends carried away by careerism, and too preoccupied with their work to make any contribution to the activities of their local church? Some may have aimed higher than their abilities, becoming so over-stretched and over-stressed that their work has entirely consumed them. But even highly competent people have found themselves in situations where they had to work all hours and travel frequently, and in these circumstances it certainly may have been better for them to have had less demanding jobs.

Numerous believers, on the other hand, have found that promotion has provided great scope for the Lord’s work, and it is noteworthy that professional people and academics have been conspicuous among those who have pioneered new churches. Their contribution of time and energy to local church planting proves that a higher or more sophisticated level of employment does not necessarily destroy availability for Christian service. Furthermore, higher income levels make strong stewardship possible, enabling such people to be great stewards and constant providers of hospitality. Nevertheless, the Lord has also led many potential high-earners into lower paid careers, such as teaching, where they have influenced many young lives and taken advantage of regular hours and vacations to further the cause of Christ.

Advancement will be an advantage to Christian service only where believers are determined to maintain spiritual priorities, and not to fall into the temptations of comfort and nest-feathering. It may be argued that where there is opportunity, believers should seek a level and form of employment that will fully utilise and exercise their abilities, so avoiding much frustration, boredom and tension, and hopefully reaping greater fulfilment, well-being and energy for the Lord’s work.

We must reject as utterly unbiblical the false teaching of many (though by no means all) charismatics that Christians are meant to have prosperity, and God will make them wealthy according to their faith (not to mention their liberal contribution to the enrichment of their preachers). The wealth of many charismatic preachers is a scandal, serving only to demonstrate their hypocrisy, and how much Paul’s words apply to them – ‘whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things’ (Philippians 3.19).

What is our motive? – Five searching tests

As far as guidance is concerned, if we are confronted by major decisions about future career or promotion, or where to work, how can we tell if our inclinations and desires are reasonable, or covetous? The following tests should identify the point at which a desire becomes covetous, and although these tests may seem to be similar, there are important distinctions between them. The tests would also apply to the buying of houses, cars, appliances or anything else of high cost or ‘visibility’.

1. The first test challenges our attitude, stating: when the heart is set upon promotion, elevation, or the accumulation of substance for its own sake it is covetousness. In the case of promotion, if believers recognise, with genuine humility, that God has given them certain capacities which ought to be exercised, they should work for promotion. Their main objectives will be to utilise the gifts God has given them in order to house and provide for their family, and strengthen their stewardship, and show compassion to others. These objectives are not of themselves covetous. But if promotion is wanted for greater status, esteem and respect from others, and for power over others, then the boundary to covetousness has been crossed, covetousness arising from the spirit in which our objectives are pursued.

What drives us on? What gives us the energy and enthusiasm to achieve our goals, whether by further study or overtime? If status or substance are in view, and these are the incentives that keep us going, then we have fallen into covetousness and self-seeking . . . to be continued