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When does ambition become ungodly?

Oct 25, 2013
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In my past, I've had aspirations of becoming a songwriter/singer/musician.
Because of personal issues like shyness, anxiety I was never to find enough gumption within myself to do the performing artist thing.

What about songwriting for money though? Would it be permissible if
the songs I write are not of lust, greed and sex? Is it really a sin to
be wealthy, if one does give away money to charity?
 

56Bluesman

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I'm a Christian and I've been paid professionally as a musician, and I still play to this day, when paying gigs come up. Why is it that when a Christian pursues a career in the musical arts it's considered evil by some Christians? To me it's no more of a sin to be a musician or singer songwriter than it is to be a Christian with athletic gifts who has ambitions towards some professional sport, or to want to become a lawyer, or a doctor, or run for for political office. However, so called wealthy, famous musicians, singer, songwriters, only make up a tiny percentage of the professional world of music. It's tough to sustain a full time career in music, or any other artistic field at any level of the business, so accept that reality first. Ambition is not a bad thing in and of itself either, but like all things we humans do, we can pervert normal healthy desires into things that God did not intend them to become, and then it becomes sin. I wish you well.
 
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GraceTruthLove

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Nord, this is a simple one.

Mark 12:30. "And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’"

Do those ambitions come before (or after) God? Do those ambitions draw your closer to Christ or away?
 
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Oct 25, 2013
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Thanks everyone for their input! And thank you 56BluesMan for the well wishes!:)

I can honestly say my desire for wealth doesn't even come close to the way I feel for the Almighty Father God. I know where I'm temptable, and greed isn't one of the areas I'm tempted.

Would I want a better life financially, and more freedom than I currently have? For sure I would. I'm just making ends meet, basically.

Do I want the moon, and everything under the stars? No, I do not.
 
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JoshuaDaryl

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In my past, I've had aspirations of becoming a songwriter/singer/musician.
Because of personal issues like shyness, anxiety I was never to find enough gumption within myself to do the performing artist thing.

What about songwriting for money though? Would it be permissible if
the songs I write are not of lust, greed and sex? Is it really a sin to
be wealthy, if one does give away money to charity?

King James Version (KJV)
Matthew 6:

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.


33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

1 Peter 2

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

1 John 2:15-17

King James Version (KJV)
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

These verses if read with prayer and a wanting to understand the will of our Heavenly Father should answer your question

Love in Christ
Josh
 
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ValorWoman4Jesus

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There is nothing wrong with becomming a singer for God's glory. You have to be careful that fame does not change you. It depends where you go to find a record label. I personally do not think Hollywood is s good choice for most Christian celebrities. There are many networks of Christian entertainers. I find that alot of country music singers with labels out of Nashville have more Christ centered values. Interesting how Nashville is a place for Christian and country music labels as well as the place where Lifeway Christian resources is headquartered. I've been to Nashville. There is a church on every corner! :D

Danny Gokey was able to become a Christian artist via American Idol without changing, but it rarely happens. No doubt God wants some people to become celebrities for His kingdom, but people need to be careful. Fifteen Minutes is a Karen Kingsbury novel that describes the heartbreak of fame in explicit detail. Danny Gokey auditioned in the midst of grieving over the loss of his wife. He started an organization in his wife's name to assist disadvantaged youth and their families and even has concerts every Tuesday night on the premises of the housing center he built for people to live until they get back on their feet. Good luck in your pursuits.

Your sister in Christ

Janet
 
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Andres88

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What about songwriting for money though?
We get money from our jobs. Songwriting for money wouldn't be an exception.

Would it be permissible if
the songs I write are not of lust, greed and sex?
Yes.

Is it really a sin to
be wealthy, if one does give away money to charity?
No. Many characters throughout Christian history, and even before Christianity (Old Testament) were wealthy.

The problem is not being rich, or songwriting for money. The problem is in what is in our hearts. As Jesus said:

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy. (Matthew 15:18-19)

In the end, you are the one who should be looking after your own heart. Would you be doing that out of greed? Just to live more comfortable? Do you want to help others more?

Remember that this is not limited to the issue of money. Sometimes it involves fame, or envy, or pride. I've known of pastors who have taken "breaks" from their ministries for some time because they saw they were engulfed by pride. I remember even John Piper taking some months of to "reexamine his soul."

In the end, if you want to pursue that, it would be wise to evaluate your motives periodically, and whether or not it's becoming an obstacle in a faithful walk in the direction of loving God and others.
 
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Oct 25, 2013
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Thanks everyone for the information you have given me! I will use this thread for future reference.:)

So a little ambition isn't a bad thing, provided it's done in a Godly way.

Actually, truth be told, songwriting would be more out of necessity than
anything. My Dad has a bad disease with severe rheumatoid arthritis. My
Mom is healthy, but things are getting harder on her as she is getting older.
She just turned 61, and has another four years to go until she retires.

I don't make a lot of money and the future for me is uncertain. I don't even have a car, or a good paying job. Sad but true.
 
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