Monuments

And they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let us make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth." – Genesis 11:4

I think it is a good idea for a person to have goals, but when you consider them as a whole do they fall into the category of "making a name for yourself" or "making a name" for God?

To illustrate, the early citizens of Babel had great ambition. They wanted to make a name for themselves and build a monument to their great strength, intelligence, and ability. They seemed to think that by remaining together (unified in their ambition), they could not be defeated or hindered from attaining fame and notoriety. Yet, they ignored (or, at best, forgot) one little thing. God was in charge, He desired all the glory, and He had given mankind the command to fill the earth and subdue it. Their mission (not God’s) became self-preservation and self-promotion. They were more interested in being famous than making God famous and, as a result, they were scattered.

What about you? What about your church/organization? For what do you labor? Are you working to increase God's reputation or your own? Be careful that you do not build monuments to your own glory instead of God's. He takes that very personally, and He will scatter you, too.

Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire. – William Penn