Compete vs Complete by Patrice Tsague
June 17, 2011 Leave a comment
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” ~ 1 Corinthians 3:6
by Patrice Tsague
How competitive are you? Do you know how to compete in the kingdom? Do you understand that being a part of the kingdom is about completing others rather than competing with others? ”I’m of Paul and another says I’m of Apollos” was the debate that went on among the Corinthians as they argued over who was their favorite apostle. I can imagine the debates, “Which apostle is more eloquent, who hears from God the best, who is the best teacher and of course who has the greatest anointing?” To that argument the Apostle Paul responds, “This attitude is carnal and not of God. None of us is more important than the other. Our focus should be to complete each other rather than compete with each other. God will reward each of us individually, according to each person’s labor and there is enough to go around.
Without question there is competition in the marketplace, not just between profit making enterprises but also in the not for profit sector, including churches. Our economic policy even encourages competition so there cannot be a monopoly, which is bad for consumers. Our anti-monopoly laws are designed to ensure that one company cannot have complete control over one sector of the market and charge whatever price it wants for its products, because customers would have no choice but to buy from that company. In a monopoly, customers would have to settle for mediocre products and services. Although the concept of competition has been abused and many have employed unethical and even sometimes illegal practices to top the competition or gain market dominance, competition can be a good thing. There are several benefits to competition:
- It gives customers a choice.
- It helps us do our best.
- It challenges our faith.
- It provides better prices for the customer.
- It removes those who are not called from the marketplace.
With so many benefits of competition, the problem is not with competition but with the attitude of those of us who are competing. Within a competitive environment we must cultivate an attitude of completion rather than competition. A person with a competitive attitude believes that there is not enough to go around and views the opponent as an enemy who must be brought down. While someone with a spirit of completion believes there is more than enough and sees the opponent as a fellow comrade in service of customers or a potential soul to be won for Christ.
What are the key differences between someone with a competitive spirit and someone with a spirit of completion?
How do you deal with competitors who do not share your values and who employ ungodly methods to harm you? Remember the words of Jesus, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
Are you competitive or are you a completer? Seek God’s wisdom today on how to be a completer in the market place for the advancement of the kingdom of God on the earth.
Copyright © 2010 Patrice Tsague ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
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Patrice Tsague, a gifted speaker, author, and entrepreneurship coach, is the Chief Servant Officer of Nehemiah Project International Ministries (NPIM). He thrives on equipping and empowering Christians to take dominion and fulfill God’s plan for their lives through biblically based, entrepreneurial training. NPIM offers a proprietary certificate business discipleship course called the “Biblical Entrepreneurship Certificate Program”. The program provides a strong mix of core business concepts and biblical principles. Some of the courses offered include Principles of Biblical Entrepreneurship (BE I), Practices of Biblical Entrepreneurship (BE II), and Planning a Kingdom Business (BE III). To learn more about how NPIM launches entrepreneurs into their God-designed destiny, please visit www.nehemiahproject.org.
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