BUT NOT SELFISH AMBITION

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3

The notion of ambition often gets criticized—as if ambition is a bad thing. But ambition is nothing more than the desire to accomplish or achieve a goal via determination and often sacrifice. We could say that Jesus was ambitious in that He accomplished the work that the Father gave Him to do when He came into the world.

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.” John 17:4-5

We, like Jesus, just need to have the right goals.

“But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.: Philippians 3:13b-14

Worldly ambition is not God inspired it is inspired by Satan, pride, and jealousy.

“And the devil took him (Jesus) up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you, I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’“ Luke 4:5-8

We can aspire to be a leader but look at God’s requirements for being a leader. Note: It is good to desire noble tasks.

“The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:7

Ambition is good if we desire the best gifts then God will reveal even a better way.

“But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.” 1 Corinthians 12:31

Ambition is good if for the best gifts, spiritual goals, the Gospel’s extension, and acceptance before God.

Ambition is evil if it leads to strife, sinful superiority, a pharisaical spirit, contention about gifts, and selfish ambition.