Title: Navigating Selfish Ambition and Godly Ambition Bible Study
Introduction
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
The Bible provides us with guidance on the concept of ambition. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, we are encouraged to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands.” This scripture emphasizes living a respectable life, winning the respect of outsiders, and not being dependent on others.
Should we have ambition?
Ambition is a crucial aspect of a purposeful life. Without ambition, we may achieve very little in our journey through life. When our ambitions align with God’s will, they can lead to godliness and bring glory to God.
As John 15:8 states:
John 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 encourages us to have the ambition to live a life that wins outsiders to Christ. Non-Christians often judge us not by our achievements but by the way we live our lives.
While the world often admires worldly achievements, it’s important to remember that many of these are driven by selfishness and personal gain.
What is selfish ambition?
Philippians 2:3-11 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Selfish ambition, as discussed in Philippians 2:3-11, involves seeking self-interest above all else.
The Greek word for selfish ambition is “eritheia,” and it refers to seeking political office through deceitful means like electioneering and courting popular applause through dishonesty. It also involves consistently promoting oneself regardless of the truth and often manifests with slogans like “Make way for me! I am better than all of you.”
The Bible instructs us to avoid acting out of selfish ambition and instead consider others better than ourselves.
Jesus’s example is one of humility and service, putting others’ needs above His own. This required humility, enduring humiliation, slander and ultimately led to His persecution and death, as selfishly ambitious religious leaders conspired against Him.
Selfish ambition in the Kingdom
Selfish ambition can even be found in the Kingdom of God. Some may cause trouble for others to elevate themselves in the eyes of others. However, God can still use such individuals to save souls and can work in their lives to correct their behavior.
Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 lists selfish ambition as one of the acts of the sinful nature that can prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God. And selfish ambition was the sin that led to the fall of the devil, illustrating its destructive nature.
James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace- loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Never boast about the fact that you struggle with it, or take it lightly, do not deny it either. It is evident to those around you because of the disorder and evil practices that accompany it such as half truths to make you look better than you are or a situation is or covering up of weaknesses and self pity when things do not go your way.
Signs when you’re motivated by selfish ambition
- Your personal sense of worth goes up and down with the opportunities ahead of you – When your ambition is godly, your value is solidly found in Christ every day.
- Failure is terrifying – When your ambition is godly, failure becomes an opportunity for grace and growth.
- You think you’re the real deal – When your ambition is godly, you know that He is the real deal.
- You use people to get you where you want to go – When your ambition is godly, you value people as you go.
- You take the credit – When your ambition is godly, you realize how much God and the people around you deserve the credit.
- You strive for breadth of exposure – When your ambition is godly, you focus on depth in your walk with God and let God determine the breadth of exposure He gives you.
- You are always thinking about the next thing – When your ambition is godly, you’re always thinking about what God wants to accomplish in your life today.
- You’re always comparing yourself to the other guy – When your ambition is godly, you begin to celebrate what God is doing through the other guy.
- It’s hard to say no to any opportunity – When your ambition is godly, it’s easier to say yes to balance and priorities.
- You feel entitled to any success that comes your way – When your ambition is godly, you simply feel grateful.
- The need to win is greater than the need to love – When your ambition is godly, the need to love is greater than the need to win.
- You are always insecure – When your ambition is godly, your security comes from God’s steadfast and unconditional love.
Good and bad examples of ambition
Romans 15:17-20 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done– by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 15:17-20, is an example of godly ambition. He credited his accomplishments to what Christ had done through him. His focus was on glorifying God, not exalting himself.
Several biblical characters (which will be discussed in our next article) exhibited selfish ambition, leading to their downfall:
- Absalom
- Adonijah
- Saul
- Korah
- Joab
- Shimei
- Uzziah
Conclusion
In these accounts, we witness the destructive nature of selfish ambition and the consequences that befall those who pursue it. Selfish ambition seeks self-exaltation and often involves deceit and manipulation. The Bible encourages us to have ambition in service to God and others, aligning our goals with God’s will, focusing on humility, service, and building His kingdom. Selfish ambition can lead to destruction and separation from God. Let us choose the path of godly ambition, seeking to serve others and bring glory to God in all we do.