What does Scripture say about competition? Is there anything there that encourages or discourages competition as a tool in tending Creation? How should a Christian view competition, both in their own lives and in the lives of institutions they may influence?

First, let's consider some of the arguments in favor of competition in our less-than-perfect world. Economic experience teaches us competition often produces goods and services which might not otherwise be produced; or produces better goods and services than might otherwise be produced; or produces them more economically or more efficiently than they might otherwise be produced.

Why? Perhaps it's because competition makes use of our human traits to spur us into achievement and accomplishment; and also to protect us against the vices which beset us. For example:

• Competition energizes us, motivates us to press ourselves more than we might if rewards weren't available or if we weren't racing to be better, faster, more successful, etc.
  
• Competition builds on itself: Each new victory, discovery, achievement becomes a platform for the next level of growth.
  
• Competition promotes excellence, as the thrill of being the best lures us to press harder.
  
• Competition forces us to be productive because somebody else will get ahead if we're lazy.
  
• Competition protects us from the greed which inevitably emerges when a firm or business has a monopoly.

Competition, then, would appear to be a useful and necessary component of society, perhaps even a blessing. Instead of eliminating competition, Christians should be redeeming their own competitive natures by focusing on these timeless Biblical principles:

• The reward we compete for is the approval of God. (Philippians 3:14)
  
• Our attitude during any competition must be characterized by humility. (Matthew 5:5)
  
• The way we compete matters more than the outcome of the competition.

A. We must surrender selfish goals to those which serve Christ and the Kingdom priorities. (Matthew 16:24-26)

B. We must compete in a way that reflects honor to God in the eyes of those who see the competition. (Matthew 5:16)

C. We must compete because we care deeply about the people and things that are served by the results of that competition. (I Corinthians 13:1-3)

• Winner-take-all is never acceptable in competition, nor is crushing the competition, nor is survival of the fittest. (Leviticus 19:9)
  
• Winning by violating God's moral or ethical principles is not acceptable. (Exodus 20:9-10; Exodus 20:15; Exodus 20:16)
  
• The outcome of competition should be service to something bigger than ourselves. (Colossians 3:17; Colossians 3:23-24)
  
• The object of competition should not be to glorify ourselves. (Romans 12:3; Mark 10:35-45)

Like anything else affected by sin, competition also offers an enticing dark side. Competition turned ugly when Cain got jealous of Abel. Competition among the disciples gives us a disappointing but all too realistic look at even people close to Jesus. Competition between God and Satan had a devastating impact on the life of Job. Competition between Jacob and Esau led to deceit and broken relationships. Competition made Saul murderously jealous of David.

The following are views of competition that are not healthy, and are not consistent with Biblical principles:

• When life is viewed as a zero-sum game, where winning means taking something away from someone else, competition is unhealthy. A sales manager exults when a competitor's chief product is recalled for safety defects. A worker is delighted when the other person being considered for the promotion they want makes a serious mistake and is chided by the boss.
  
• When winning is the primary objective, competition is unhealthy.
  
• When competition glorifies the winner, competition is unhealthy.
  
• When competition denigrates the loser, competition is unhealthy.

The Apostle Paul spoke in glorious fashion about his competitive nature, describing in telling fashion the way his encounter with Christ shaped all of his thinking. Hear his words as you form your own views of how God would have you-and the institutions you influence or control-compete in your present vocation.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

"I have been⁾crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."