Godly Ambition is a Heart Issue
Have you ever done the right thing for the wrong reasons? This is a test that I must take often at work and I’m sure I will take it again. This is also an issue at the heart of determining our ambition. At work we are often only measured on our outcomes. However, as Christians it is not simply the results, we concern ourselves with. We also must consider the attitude, motivation and ambition behind those outcomes.
Ambition is an investigator of our motivations. We have considered the ambition that is driven by selfish motivations, but what is the alternative? Paul writes about the motives behind our work in his letter to the Galatian Church:
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 NIV
These verses help us to see that God is an authenticator when it comes to our motivations. He knows the reasons why we do what we do. The results of Godly ambition are eternal, but the results of selfish living fall short of meaningful legacy.
How do I know if this is Godly Ambition?
Godly ambition asks questions, it’s a good habit to develop as you move through your career to keep yourself, rooted in the plan and purpose of the Lord. In this regard, questions act like personal accountability and keep you in order and on course with the values of God’s kingdom. The questions we ask create the culture we live in. Asking good questions help you refine your ambition. The question of “Why do you want what you really want?” will quickly get you to the heart of your ambition.
Another good identifier of Godly ambition is to see how it impacts other people. Do they benefit? Do they grow as a result? Are we removing obstacles for them to experience God? People are at the heart of God’s ambition. His passion is draw everyone to himself. We can partner with him in this through our work. Perhaps this is directly, in the form of face-to-face ministry, or perhaps your job enables and empowers other forms of ministry, maybe it’s both. I certainly have felt the conviction to be the spiritual leader of my workplace. I endeavor to improve and bless the lives of the people who work at my company. I pray for them and ask that they would know God. Janet and I also count it a great honor to partner financially with church builders, ministry leaders and special causes to advance the kingdom of God.
Godly ambition will often be connected to generosity. Let’s look at Lydia from the bible as a case study. It’s a short passage in Acts 16. Lydia is a business owner who specializes in the trading of purple linen and goods.
One woman, Lydia, was from Thyatira and a dealer in expensive textiles, known to be a God-fearing woman. As she listened with intensity to what was being said, the Master gave her a trusting heart—and she believed!15 After she was baptized, along with everyone in her household, she said in a surge of hospitality, “If you’re confident that I’m in this with you and believe in the Master truly, come home with me and be my guests.” We hesitated, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Acts 16:14-15 MSG
As a result of Lydia’s faith people were changed. We learn that her whole household are baptized. She extends her resources in hospitality to Paul. Later in verse 40 we learn that Lydia’s house has become the meeting place for the church.