As an executive coach, working with Christian professionals is an exciting journey. Doing so with God’s word in hand is a blessing I can’t describe. Yet one of the greatest and perhaps most controversial topics I encounter is financial achievement. Christians often feel as if its sinful to strive for career and financial success.

Many see career ambition as materialistic and worldly. Some, however, feel it is their duty to become the best example of hard work and ambition as a follower of Christ. Others have just not made up their minds on the matter. Of course, there is a third group, those caught between the two worlds who focus on money, fame and self-glorification. So where do you stand on this continuum?

1 Chronicles 4:10 "Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested."

There are few scriptures that speak as boldly about ambition for success as the Prayer offered by Jabez. And yet we know very little bit about this man. He was from the line of Judah. He was named by his mother because she had great pain giving birth to him. He was also somehow more honorable than his brothers, and we know that he prayed a bold prayer in faith that God would expand his land. We know he received his request from God.

When was the last time you prayed that God would expand your influence, your holdings, your success or your land? If you believe it is sinful to succeed professionally and financially, then you would probably never think to utter these words.

I understand this...to some degree. It is, at the very least, tempting to use wealth for our own pleasures and comfort. We are even warned in 1 Timothy 6 that those who desire to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare and many harmful desires.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Q: So how can we strive for financial success without it becoming a snare?

A: Commit to using your wealth to serve God’s children and bring glory to His name!

Acts 2:44-45 "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."

The key here is that we don’t put our hope in wealth. To do so is a trap. Wealth does not make us better or more important. It does not provide for us, God does. If not viewed properly, wealth could very well become a stumbling block to our own spiritual growth. We can, instead, use our wealth to build up the church and take care of the family of believers.

That means we don’t strive for success for our own good. We strive for success for the good of the body and Christ!

How willing are you to use the riches God has given you to serve the family of believers? Jabez was said to be an honorable man. This is how we can look out our own success, in an honorable way. What an honor to give what we make and take care of the needy and less fortunate.

• Jesus himself calls us to share one of our tunics with someone who has none in Luke 3:10-11
• John says we are to share what we have with a brother in need when we see the need in 1 John 3:17
• Luke explains some in church sold possessions and gave to the needy in Acts 2:44

I believe (and coach others to the same conviction) this is the right place to start. Commit to giving away, and giving generously BEFORE you make your riches. You don’t even have to be wealthy to be extremely generous. No matter how little you have, someone near you has even less. Share what is yours, today. Let’s expand our land, sell it and expand our land even more. To God be the glory.

Shawn Sommerkamp is a motivational speaker and Executive Coach with 20+ years of Fortune 100 leadership experience. He founded Motivationeer™ to coach Christian professionals how to use their career to glorify God and support local church growth.