Ambition is a word that is not directly used much in the Bible, but there are many verses and passages that relate to the concepts and issues surrounding ambition, aspiration, and motivation. Ambition in and of itself is neutral morally – it can be used for good or bad purposes. The key is to have ambition for the right things and to avoid selfish or improper ambition.
Here are some key themes about ambition that emerge in the Bible:
1. Ambition for God’s purposes and glory is good
We are called to be ambitious for God and for accomplishing His will on earth. Scripture encourages aspiring to live holy lives, serve others, spread the Gospel, and use our gifts and abilities for God’s glory. Some verses that illustrate this include:
– “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23)
– “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
– “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
– “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)
These verses encourage ambition and aspiration aimed at pleasing God, serving others, glorifying Christ, and building up fellow believers. This kind of holy ambition should motivate Christians.
2. Selfish ambition is wrong
While aspiring to serve God is good, selfish ambition or aspiring for the wrong things is clearly warned against in Scripture. Ambition to elevate self, fulfill selfish desires, or impress others is portrayed as dangerous and foolish.
– “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3)
– “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16)
– “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.” (Romans 13:13)
Selfish ambition is associated with conceit, jealousy, sensuality, quarreling and other sins. It should have no place in the believer’s life.
3. Be ambitious, but stay humble
The Bible warns against pride and commends humility. So while we should have ambition, we must balance it with humility and keep human achievements in perspective:
– “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
– “The greatest among you shall be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)
Our ambition should always include humility and recognize that all our abilities and accomplishments ultimately come from God. We are to pursue excellence while avoiding arrogance.
4. Eternal rewards, not worldly ones, should be our ambition
Christians are called to set their hope and ambition on eternal, heavenly rewards rather than temporary, worldly rewards:
– “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:20)
– “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:19-20)
Keeping an eternal perspective helps believers have ambition aimed at pleasing God rather than pursuing fleeting selfish goals.
5. Our true ambition should be to become more like Christ
The highest purpose and ambition we can have as Christians is to become more like Jesus Christ. He is the perfect model to follow and should be the ultimate object of our ambition:
– “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)
– “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)
– “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)
Our priority should be pursuing Christ, following His example, and allowing Him to transform us to be more like Him.
6. Idleness and lack of diligence are discouraged
While selfish ambition is wrong, Christians are also warned against being idle, lazy, or negligent. We should have ambition when it comes to work and stewarding our lives and resources well. Some relevant verses include:
– “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” (Proverbs 10:4)
– “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” (Proverbs 13:4)
– “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” (Proverbs 12:11)
Work ethic, diligence, and stewardship are commended, while laziness and negligence are portrayed as foolish and problematic.
7. Be motivated by love, not selfish gain
Paul wrote about serving others not out of compulsion but out of love and willingness:
– “For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16)
– “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. Purge the evil person from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13)
True ambition comes from desire to please God and do good for others, not external compulsion.
8. Our ambition should align with our calling and gifts
God gives each believer spiritual gifts and a calling. Our ambition should be aimed at fulfilling these gifts and callings, not trying to be something we’re not:
– “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6a)
– “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:10a)
Aligning our ambition with how God designed us allows us to live purposeful lives for His glory.
9. Jesus condemned self-promoting ambition
Jesus strongly criticized the religious leaders of His day for pursuing recognition and prestige rather than sincerely serving God:
– “They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues.” (Matthew 23:5-6)
– “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)
He makes it clear that ambition aimed at self-glorification and prestige is wrong. We should avoid it.
10. Our ambitions on earth should be circumspect and moderate
Several passages indicate we should hold earthly ambitions loosely and focus more on eternal things:
– “Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven.” (Proverbs 23:4-5)
– “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)
– “And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.'” (Luke 12:22)
While working diligently and aspiring to excellence, Christians should remember this world is temporary and be moderate in earthly ambitions.
In summary, the key principles on ambition that emerge in Scripture include:
- Aspire for God’s purposes
- Avoid selfish ambition
- Balance ambition with humility
- Seek eternal rewards
- Become more like Christ
- Avoid idleness
- Be motivated by love
- Align with gifts and calling
- Don’t self-promote
- Keep earthly ambitions in perspective
Applying these principles allows believers to have biblically grounded ambition that aspires to serve God, blesses others, and glorifies Jesus Christ.
