Ambition, is it a Good thing or Bad thing?

Our experience with ambition is as varied as you can imagine. For some it is the fuel that gets them out of bed, ready to meet the challenges of the day, for others it can be an area that invokes shame and obligation naming something that they lack. Some people have benefitted greatly from ambition and others have been collateral damage in another person’s desire for greatness.

Ambition itself is neither inherently good nor bad; its value depends on how it's expressed and managed. Identifying the motivation behind ambition also becomes a useful tool in determining not simply how it affects our life as an individual but also how it affects other people. This distinction is made in Philippians 2:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Selfish Ambition vs Godly Ambition

 One of the key identifiers when determining the difference between selfish ambition and Godly ambition is how we treat people. Selfish ambition can distort our perspective of those around us. It can force a filter of competition over all we say and do. Godly ambition concerns itself with building up other people and increasing the kingdom of God.

Godly ambition originates with God, and it is something we share in, selfish ambition originates with us. Godly ambition is full of purpose and brings contentment and joy because of its connection to God’s kingdom. Selfish ambition is its own purpose and has an appetite that can’t be satisfied.

Ambition is not often discussed in relation to our faith, however what we want and how intently we pursue it is at the core of our spiritual lives. The theologian Donald Whitney says “One way to simplify your spirituality is to clarify your ambition”

Another good way to identify the fuel of your ambition is to see who’s will is being accomplished, Gods will or my will? The simple question of: “Does my ambition fulfill my will or God’s will?” Brings a lot of clarity to the motivation behind our ambition. Jesus is the perfect example of surrendering his own will to his father’s. Jesus models this in the garden of gethsemane and in the way he teaches his disciples to pray.

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Matthew 6:9-10 NIV

Our culture tells us that ambition is fuel for personal success, The truth is that when ambition is godly, it becomes an incredible gift for kingdom impact.