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elijah23
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Jesus said pride is a sin. Does that mean that social climbing is a sin?
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Desire to be a vessel of honor unto the Lord Jesus Christ?
Join Hidden in Him and For His Glory for discussions on how
https://christianforums.net/threads/become-a-vessel-of-honor-part-2.112306/
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Alabaster
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Social climbing is a pattern of behaviour that is driven by materialism and selfish ambition.
James 3:14-16
14But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
15This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
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Alabaster
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According to dictionary.com:
Sometimes shortened to: climber a person who seeks advancement to a higher social class, esp by obsequious behaviour
I know, I know....
ob·se·qui·ous
/əbˈsi
–adjective
1. characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning: an obsequious bow.
2. servilely compliant or deferential: obsequious servants.
3. obedient; dutiful.
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Alabaster
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So like the social elite? How they "climb" higher and higher on the social status ladder.
Yes, and it also includes those of moderate means who still aspire to more than they can afford, and who are enamored with the haves and eschew the have nots. I think we have all met these kinds of folk.
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Alabaster
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Mike
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- Mar 13, 2010
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Well said.
Mike
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- Mar 13, 2010
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As with many inclinations of man, this too seems to hinge on the attitude of the heart. But I would say pursuing a higher social status is difficult to do with pure intentions. I believe a person can be wealthy and climb that ladder, just because the person is good at doing something that garners money. If he does not become fixated on his wealth, shares it and allows it to fall from his hands without experiencing despair, I don't see this is inherently prideful or sinful.
But the whole idea of working your way up the social ladder so you can be among the social elite is hard to justify. I don't admire too many Hollywood actors, but there are a few that I do, because they choose to shun the Hollywood elite and live in a far remote area of the country. Denzel Washington comes to mind. He is arguably among the highest of the social and Hollywood elite, but he lives away from people.
This question reminded me of Luke 14
Luke 14 (NIV - 2010)
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7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.â€
{If we were to have a party, banquet, wedding... for our daughter, is their an interest in seeing important people honor you with their attendance?}
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.â€
But the whole idea of working your way up the social ladder so you can be among the social elite is hard to justify. I don't admire too many Hollywood actors, but there are a few that I do, because they choose to shun the Hollywood elite and live in a far remote area of the country. Denzel Washington comes to mind. He is arguably among the highest of the social and Hollywood elite, but he lives away from people.
This question reminded me of Luke 14
Luke 14 (NIV - 2010)
"
7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.â€
{If we were to have a party, banquet, wedding... for our daughter, is their an interest in seeing important people honor you with their attendance?}
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.â€