Jeremiah 45:5
And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest. And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.
The verse is a direct warning not to seek great things for oneself, forbidding the pursuit of personal greatness, status, and advancement. It sets duty and principle above promotion and reward as the rule of service to God. To serve in this way is to bear the cross rather than to pursue the crown. The warning therefore requires contentment and trust instead of self-pity or resentment when work feels unappreciated or difficult.