Ambition: November 4, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2013.

AMBITION

DEFINITION:

An eager desire for distinction, power or fame; aspiration to achieve a particular goal good, or bad.

SCRIPTURE:

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit. Philippians 2:3.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Mark 12:30.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We have been involved in Christian ministries now for over 60 years. During that time we had responsibilities of working with all kinds of people. The one thing we have noticed is that all things being equal, such as talent, ability, and experience, the person that had ambition excelled far and above every other person. But we also learned that a person with ambition needed to be watched to make certain that their ambition was not motivated by selfish desires to elevate themselves or by a conceited attitude of superiority.

Probably one of the worst things that one could have on his or her performance review is lack of ambition. When it comes to work, those who lack ambition seldom rise to the top of their profession or ministry. Without a strong desire to achieve something, little is accomplished.

But ambition also has a dark side. Often one with ambition is dedicated to elevate themselves to a higher level and not to what the Lord has called them to do. This was the down fall of many of the kings of Israel, including the first one.

James calls this “selfish ambition” and strongly warns against selfish ambition. Selfish ambition is instigated by the devil and leads to evil tactics. James say it this way, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice” James 3:16.

Saul was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. He had the makings of a great king. He was physically strong, tall and handsome. He was courageous and a leader. He was described as an “impressive young man without equal” in I Samuel 9:2. In I Samuel 10:10 it says the Spirit of God came upon him.

Saul started out with humility and with great ambition but soon Saul grew impatient waiting for God's leading and he decided to take matters into his own hands (I Samuel 13:8-10). He forgot that he had a special assignment from God to lead His chosen people in a way that would show other nations the way to God. Thus his downfall. Pride and selfish ambition took over his life.

Not only did Saul disobey God by not allowing God to lead him, but he failed to give God the credit for his victories in battle. After the victory over the Amalekites, Saul set up a monument to honor himself (I Samuel 15:12). We are told in I Samuel 15:30 that when God rejected Saul as king, Saul's only concern was for his own honor.

We are living in a world where people only think of themselves. Often ambition compels people to do whatever it takes to put themselves in a position of power over others. God calls His people to a different way of living. We are to do nothing out of selfish ambition (verse above).

In addition in Hebrews 12:1 the writer tells us to lay aside the weight of sin that ensnares us. Sin is what causes us to seek our own selfish ambitions instead of seeking the will of God and then to give ourselves the credit and honor for our successes given to us by God. This is not acceptable in His sight. God should receive the honor for the successes He has given us.  

If you want to be someone who truly wants to rise above others that you work with and meet daily, then make your ambition to humbly love and serve God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. God honors those who honor Him.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 2:9-10.

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.

PRAYER:

Help me to understand that the ambition that people who do not know Jesus strive for is short-sighted. Help me to be ambitious for Your sake, not mine, so I can bring honor to You. May my family be a family that serves You with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength in order to bring glory to God.