Peter: Often, people assume a Wall Street investment banker has a bigger ego than a humanitarian aid worker in Africa. And that workaholism only affects for-profit America. But that’s not always the case.
I’ve been in ministry long enough to realize that it’s possible for us to be “selflessly serving,” but to be completely self-centered in the process. Unless we rediscover the foundation of our service, good work can be all about us: promoting our image, heightening our own vanity and pride. Families can be neglected in pursuit of doing “great things for God.” And we can become more obsessed with all we’re doing instead of who we are becoming in Christ.
While sharing my personal story, I discovered the lure of success and pride derails too many leaders. In fact, Dr. J. Robert Clinton conducted a study that discovered only one in three biblical leaders finished well. Dynamic, God-fearing individuals weren’t immune to burnout, spiritual disillusionment, infidelity, etc. He said it’s likely it’s the same percentage today.
Ultimately, good things apart from God can become spiritually toxic.
What do you hope will happen in the reader’s heart and mind after they finish with The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good?
I hope they come to a greater understanding of their own motives and brokenness. Even the Apostle Paul recognized, “Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me” (Romans 7:21). When we acknowledge our brokenness, we can find freedom to truly serve for a lifetime.
Why we serve makes all the difference. It’s not to gain leverage over God. It’s not for the purpose of making a name for ourselves or creating a successful organization. It’s out of a heart posture of gratitude to a God who knows we aren’t perfect, who recognizes that we are a mess, and who loves us anyway.
Our service is downstream from the Gospel message. Simply, it’s a response to God’s generosity. We forget this and it is just a matter of time before we self-destruct.
What advice do you have for someone interested in working in missions or for a non-profit?
There’s been an explosion of people serving, giving, and going, and I celebrate that. But please remember that doing good work won’t make God love you more than He already does. In the Gospels, Jesus was close to people who were broken, who recognized their sin and need, not those who thought they had it all together. It’s interesting that Christ’s harshest critique was to the ones who did the most good, the righteous. But they relied on their own goodness instead of God’s grace. Their good work become the enemy of the Gospel.
I want to fan the flames of radical and passionate service, but I want to do this in a way that makes Christ the center of the story.
What 3 books have most impacted your life and ministry (besides the Bible)?
In addition to the wonderful books by Margaret Feinberg (seriously – loved The Sacred Echo!), here are the books that have recently influenced me:
- Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn’t Good Enough. Justin and Trisha Davis recognize an ordinary marriage is a dangerous place to be. Don’t settle for one—because that’s where often the Enemy attacks first. This book has greatly strengthened my marriage, and I’d recommend it to any married couple.
- The Prodigal God or anything by Tim Keller. Tim Keller reveals that the story of The Prodigal Son is not just about a hedonist younger son, but also a do-gooder older brother who is estranged from a relationship with his Father. More than any other book, The Prodigal God influenced the concepts found in The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good.
- How The Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In – While less famous than Good to Great, How the Mighty Fall is, I believe, the best business book that bestselling author Jim Collins wrote. Lessons from failure offered in How the Mighty Fall are far more helpful than lessons from success.
To win a copy of Peter’s new book, enter a comment on the original blog post below. Winners will be selected and notified on Friday!\
Congratulations to the winners: Candice Adams, Ken Taylor, Jennie
What’s advice do you have to others in ministry?
I love books. this one would be a great addition to my collection
This book sounds like something that would reveal some of my wrong thoughts and feelings about living life. I desire to serve Him and others, but only if it is with the right heart.
PS. Is this what we are to do to enter the give away? I am not sure, I think I wanted more specific instruction and what to do! Thank you
My advice would be to find someone that you can be honest with but who you will allow to be honest with you. I want to know if I am being selfish/self-focused in ministry so I can repent and be set aright.
3 books that have impacted me: Leading Change Without Losing It–Carey N., Experiencing God–Blackaby & Breaking Free–Beth Moore.
I serve with a local food pantry. When I asked why I serve there I tell people that I know what it feels like to go to bed hungry. It was the kindness of a coworker who fed me when I was hungry & prayed with me, who helped me on my journey to where I am today. My desire is to share the love of Christ with our clients like that coworker did, & let them know there is hope. I pray I’m serving for the right reasons & I keep my focus on God.
I always wonder what truly motivates me to do good. Is it because it makes me feel better or is it because I want to honor God? Or a little of both. I want to serve God to honor him but is that really what’s going on? I would like some sort of check and let’s see. It would be good to get it right.
Would love to read this one.
Would love to win the book. I love to read. I Also serve at a local non profit.
I think, for me at least, the problem comes when I start wondering what people think of me. I’m struggling with this but try to remind myself WHO I’m doing what I’m doing for. Is it to glorify myself and draw attention to myself and my abilities? OR Is it to glorify and serve God alone, so when others see me they praise God?
Sounds like a great truth for those of us in any service role. I have seen loved ones and colleagues fall to the same trap of self-centered martyrdom. The self-pity and self-aggrandizement build up until they create a sense of entitlement. “You don’t know, God is on my side.” Said to me by a man in the process of leaving wife, ministry, and family to pursue the object of his extra-marital affair. Hard to believe we can let those voices convince us that God would not only understand, but endorse our sin. The sad truth is that while these cases seem extreme, any one of us could fall prey to the same forces in our own lives. Maybe not as “big” as others fall, but maybe even easier in the little things. Glad to see this called out, and I hope we are all listening with open hearts.
Involved in developing international health care strategies – we often struggle with well-meaning believers who sometimes want to do more when less is best – sometimes we’re the well-meaning believers.
I have known Peter for several years, and we have had him out to speak at Seattle Pacific University. He has had to navigate the challenging landscape of loving his family and friends well, while building with his team a top notch non-profit. I am grateful for Peter’s leadership, his latest book, and his upcoming book with Chris Horst.
A facinating discussion to think there could be spriitual danger in doing good. I understand what Peter is saying here. It seems that many great ministries and missions begin at a grass roots level with the very humility he mentnions. But it is easy as a ministsry grows bigger to become task oriented and not ministry focused. (something I remind myself and my Women’s Ministry team often!) So it becomes more about us and less about Christ. The accountability in this area is so important. Who but God can see our heart’s motivation? a lot to think about just from the title and the brief interview.
Having worked in the field of the non profit world that Greer speaks of and having been impacted by Keller’s Prodigal God, this sounds more than intriguing to me
Thank you for this give-away! This sounds like a very interesting book. I’d love to read it!
Intriguing, sounds good to read … As being part of a non profit organization and in full time ministry. Thank you for always motivating with theses give a ways and your work as an author too
Aw, yes, the heart of service can be the heart of darkness… I would like to read the book!
I so agree with the message of the book. We truly need to check our motives for serving. And not only once in awhile but daily. It’s not about us doing good but letting God do good through us. Thanks for writing this book. Definitively goes on my “to read” list. Blessings!
I think a good ‘check’…is to do things anonymously as often as possible. Sounds like a great book!
Sounds like a great read
Sounds like a great book. My advice would be – Be intentional in your own spiritual growth, plan for it and make it a priority. The stronger you are, the better you can serve others!
I would love to win a copy of this book! 😉
I would love to win.
I can’t wait to read this book. Will buy my own copy if I don’t win…
I have a few friends who give me more books than what I have time to read so I don’t often buy books myself. But when I saw this book described, I knew, as a missionary among the poor for the past 14 years, I needed to hear its message. I just finished reading the Kindle version I purchased and it was money and time very well spent. I talk about this book all the time. I’d love to have a paper copy to share with my coworkers and national pastors.
When I think back over 30 years of ministry I have done good things countless times.I am not sure my motivation was the best in all of those instances. There were times that the good was done seeking to grow my church. I have learned that while doing good is an essential part of serving God in the church, the people we help will not follow Christ or join our churches just because we help them. Doing good should have a much deeper motivation than to add to our church.
I would love to read this one!
Sounds like a good read
4 of us recently went to Haiti to start 2 projects. My friend and I are starting a feeding program Manje Mirak. The other two want to build a well. The motives behind each project truly came to light while we were there. The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good sounds like it would help the women doing the well project and keep us from heading down the wrong path as well.
This sounds great – I’d love to win a copy! I’ve been reading “When Helping Hurts” and this sounds like a great follow-on.
Pretty please? With sugar on top? I NEED this book!
Spiritual danger sounds like a great book! I definitely also want to read the 3 books the author recommends. Currently I am reading “The Sacred Echo” by one of my favorite authors! Margaret, you are right up there with Beth Moore. I own 4 of your books, and about 10 of Beth’s. Anything written by either of you is always fabulous! (To be fair, Beth has published more books than you, and is about 20 years older, so she has a head start.)
Big fan of Peter’s. thanks for the offer, Margaret.
I was *just* talking about this earlier this week! Am I giving/serving/helping/doing in an effort to please others and to satisfy my own discomfort in any given situation? Or am I really giving/serving/helping/doing to please God and be used by Him…and feeling uncomfortable anyway?
I admit it: lots of times I tend to choose “looking good” rather than pleasing God. Ouch.
Last year I tried to do my job teaching severely disabled, behaviorally challenged children on my own power, trying to look good. It was not good. I want to avoid this in the future. The only advice I would have is to read, read, the Bible. It’s the only thing that helped me last year.
My husband is a pastor and I would love to add this book to his collection. Our anniversary is this week and this would be a wonderful gift.
Vanity and pride are two of the biggest challenges for those who serve. I’ll never forget when a friend said she was struggling with pride. I quickly thought I don’t have that problem. But God then opened my eyes to all the areas in my life where I had pride issues. One must really stay humble before the Lord to have the right service attitude.
Always love a good book. Read Beyond Ordinary and it is a great read.
My advice to all out there who are doing ministry for the Lord is to never let any ministry become more important than God.