Scott Souder
It’s not a Competition
Most people believe that competition has both benefits and disadvantages. On the positive side competing with one’s own self can be healthy, constructive and productive. On the negative side, being competitive can be viewed as being self-centered, aggressive, inflexible and self-absorbed. Solomon stated an observation made about competition and rivalry – “It’s vanity”. In the discussion of competition people familiar with the Bible often use Paul’s reference of running a race to win the prize as an example. But was winning a race the concept Paul was emphasizing? The simple answer was no.
There is competition in our society. Competition arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared: where one’s gain is the other’s loss. And this competitive mindset can creep into the Church, where offices or responsibility are seen as the goal and not as opportunities to serve. Or competing for members, all the while believing that numbers show growth. In the book of Acts we see the example of a need to fill an office in the Church and how it was not competitively done, but humbly done. The idea that competition helps the cream rise to the top also insinuates that some must fall to the bottom. We must be vigilant to not be competitive among ourselves.
