1 AMBITION (LEADING GENEROUSLY, WEEK 3)

Ambition

Welcome to Week Three in our series, Leading Generously. Right from the beginning we learned we are

all leaders in some way. We all need to know how to lead according to God’s plan.

The first week we learned that Generous Leaders trust God, even if the circumstances don’t

seem good, because they hold on to God’s promises.

Last week, as we examined Legend vs. Legacy, we learned that Generous Leaders invest in

eternal rewards. They don’t try to make themselves look better in people’s eyes, but work at

helping others reach their potential.

This week we will take a look at ambition. What is the difference between worldly ambition and Godly

ambition? And, how can we move closer to God’s plan in all this?

AMBITION

According to the Oxford Dictionary, Ambition is “a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically

requiring determination and hard work.” Another dictionary defines it this way: An earnest desire for

some type of achievement or distinction, as power, honor, fame, or wealth, and the willingness to strive

for its attainment.

The word originates from a Latin word, ambitio, a political term which meant to go around asking for

votes.

In almost all the definitions I read, it implied a focus on ourselves – what we want for ourselves and our

families and what we can accomplish, with a focus on hard work and determination.

Ambition is usually all about what I can do to meet my goals.

Jesus pointed a different direction when He said:

“… Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

(Matthew 6:19-34, NIV)

SELFISH AMBITION VS. GODLY WISDOM

While not all ambition is bad, the Bible doesn’t have much good to say about it. Its view is pretty much

summed up in the book of James, where said:

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Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every

kind. (James 3:16, NLT)

Jealousy is generally what we feel when we resent other people who get more attention or have what

we perceive to be a “better life” than we do.

And selfish ambition is making our desires and goals the most important driving force in our lives.

Another way to say this that includes this whole picture, is selfishness; which is the root of jealousy and

selfish ambition. And the more we let it lose, the more disorder it creates in our lives and communities.

Some years back I directed the drama team from Campion Academy named Reflections. It started off

small – just a way to give the kids who were not musical or good in sports an outlet, a way to share

Jesus.

By the end of the first year, it had exploded. Over a period of 12 years, God abundantly blessed our

efforts and it became one of the biggest things on campus. We traveled all around the country

performing at youth rallies, camp meetings, colleges, and church. One year we performed over 100

times.

There were kids who came to Campion just because of Reflections and their dream was to be a member.

What began for me as an honest desire to help kids serve Jesus turned into a major spiritual battle.

What I fought along the way more than anything was jealousy and selfish ambition. When we were at

our peak,

I would catch myself looking down on other groups who didn’t perform as well we did.

I struggled with being jealous of people and groups who were doing better, and even of

associates of mine who seemed to relate better to some of the students.

I was afraid to fail, so I worked extra hard to ensure we did not while accepting praise for my

spiritual commitment to excellence.

Now, to God’s credit, He used our efforts – even my misplaced ambition – to make powerful statements

about Himself, while quietly working in my life to correct my motives.

But, there were some consequences. Because of my ambition for our group to be the best, I worked

extra-long hours, was often gone on trips, and when I was home – my mind was often someplace else.

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Some of the challenges our children have faced through the years came about due to my ambition. I was

so busy building and maintaining my dream that I was distant from my family.

… Wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every

kind. (James 3:16, NLT)

Why would this be true? Why would jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil of every

kind?

It’s pretty simple really, when your focus is primarily on yourself and what you want – and you are

surrounded by people who have the same outlook on life – everyone will be working for their own best

interest not for the good of the group as a whole. There will be disunity, meanness, distrust, and anger –

leading to disorder.

And, when you are focused on yourself it is easy to justify your actions to get what you want. And the

more powerful you are, the more you feel you can bend the rules in your favor. Moral norms become

something you use to judge others, but not yourself.

Then the issue is not about right and wrong, but about what you can get away with. This opens the door

for evil of every kind. I’m not going to elaborate on examples of this, you only need to turn on the news

and you will see plenty of people who are acting this out.

POWER

At its core, ambition is really about power: power to control our circumstances, power to control people

around us, power to control our own destiny …

Power is not inherently evil – it’s what we do with the power that makes it good or bad. We all have

some power or at least some illusion of it.

Pat’s dad had a sign posted prominently in their cabin in Leadville. It read: “I am the master of this

house, and I have my wife’s permission to say so!”

Spouses have some power over each other; parents over their children; teacher’s over their students;

bosses over their employees, and even friends over each other.

The most powerful person who ever lived was Jesus. After all, He was the Creator of this world! (See

John 1:1-5). How did He use and leverage His power?

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In John 13, we read:

Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from

God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel

around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet,

drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:3-5, NLT)

After completing the task, Jesus put His clothes back on, returned to His place at the table, and said:

“Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right,

because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought

to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell

you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important

than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for

doing them.” (John 13:12-17, NLT)

Jesus’ message here is this: As the most powerful person here, my job is to take care of you – to serve

you. Your job is to take care of anyone you may have any power over – to serve them.

A Christian leader, a generous leader, should be more concerned about taking care of the people he or

she is leading than exploiting the perks of leadership.

That’s the example Jesus left us, and He instructed us to follow His example! A few minutes later that

same evening, Jesus said:

“Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another

will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

Paul reinforced this when he wrote:

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.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus …

(Philippians 2:3-5, NIV)

SUBMITTING TO GOD

James, the brother of Jesus wrote:

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… Humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God,

and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your

loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:4-10, NLT)

If we are honest, doesn’t this phrase describe much of our lives: “your loyalty is divided between God

and the world.”

We try to focus on Him and spend some time with Him and want to be committed to Him.

But, we are also committed to living out the “American Dream” – having a nice place to live, a good car

to drive, a good career, being comfortable and secure – not necessarily bad things, just some good

things that in reality are more important to most of us than God is right now.

Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be

sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and

he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:4-10, NLT)

The solution is coming to God in repentance for our misplaced ambitions.

This reminds me of what God said to Solomon when he was dedicating the Temple. It’s recorded in 2

Chronicles 7:

“… Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my

face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and

restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NLT)

This is what is needed in my life.

It is what we as a church need to do if we really are serious about leading people to Jesus!

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

2 Chronicles 7:12-22 (NLT): Then one night the LORD appeared to Solomon and said,

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At

times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your

crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble

themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven

and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to

every prayer made in this place. 16 For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a

place where my name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my

heart.

17 “As for you, if you faithfully follow me as David your father did, obeying all my commands,

decrees, and regulations, 18 then I will establish the throne of your dynasty. For I made this

covenant with your father, David, when I said, ‘One of your descendants will always rule over

Israel.’

19 “But if you or your descendants abandon me and disobey the decrees and commands I have

given you, and if you serve and worship other gods, 20 then I will uproot the people from this land

that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will

make it an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations. 21 And though this Temple is

impressive now, all who pass by will be appalled. They will ask, ‘Why did the LORD do such

terrible things to this land and to this Temple?’

22 “And the answer will be, ‘Because his people abandoned the LORD, the God of their ancestors,

who brought them out of Egypt, and they worshiped other gods instead and bowed down to

them. That is why he has brought all these disasters on them.’” (2 Chronicles 7:12-22, NLT)

Matthew 6:19-34 (NLT): “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust

destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where

moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure

is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole

body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with

darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!

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24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted

to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and

drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father

feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a

single moment to your life?

28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They

don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as

they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into

the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will

we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father

already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and

he will give you everything you need.

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is

enough for today. (Matthew 6:19-34, NLT)

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT): Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy

burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am

humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear,

and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Matthew 20:1-16 (NLT): “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one

morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent

them out to work.

3 “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people

standing around doing nothing. 4 So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever

was right at the end of the day. 5 So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at

three o’clock he did the same thing.

6 “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing

around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’

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7 “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’

“The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’

8 “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last

workers first. 9 When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. 10 When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they,

too, were paid a day’s wage. 11 When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, 12 ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us

who worked all day in the scorching heat.’

13 “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for

the usual wage? 14 Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. 15 Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I

am kind to others?’

16 “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.”

(Matthew 20:1-16, NLT)

Luke 9:23-27 (NLT): Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up

your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. 24 If you try to hang on to your life, you

will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 25 And what do you benefit if

you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and

my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in

the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some standing here right now

will not die before they see the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:23-27, NLT)

John 13:1, 3-5 (NLT): Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this

world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now

he loved them to the very end … 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over

everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the

table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then

he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

(John 13:1, 3-5, NLT)

John 13:12-17 (NLT): After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you

understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because

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that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to

wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell

you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important

than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for

doing them.” (John 13:12-17, NLT)

John 13:34-35 (NLT): So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved

you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are

my disciples.” (John 13:34-35, NLT)

Philippians 2:3-8 (NIV): Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value

others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of

the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in

very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human

likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient

to death – even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:3-8, NIV)

Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT): Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with

whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the

secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13, NLT)

Philippians 4:18-19 (NLT): At the moment I have all I need – and more! I am generously supplied with the

gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and

pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his

glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:18-19, NLT)

1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 (NIV): Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for

you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of

God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and

more, 11 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, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of

outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, NIV)

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James 3:13-18 (NLT): If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life,

doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous

and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For

jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and

demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and

evil of every kind.

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and

willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and

is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest

of righteousness. (James 3:13-18, NLT)

James 4:4-10 (NLT): You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an

enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an

enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate

that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously.

As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to

God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your

loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let

there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of

joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:4-10, NLT)

E. G. WHITE

Desire of Ages, page 103: With awed yet exultant spirit he [John the Baptist] searched in the prophetic

scrolls the revelations of the Messiah's coming – the promised seed that should bruise the

serpent's head; Shiloh, "the peace giver," who was to appear before a king should cease to reign

on David's throne. Now the time had come. A Roman ruler sat in the palace upon Mount Zion. By

the sure word of the Lord, already the Christ was born.

Isaiah's rapt portrayals of the Messiah's glory were his study by day and by night … The heart of

the lonely exile was filled with the glorious vision.

He looked upon the King in His beauty, and self was forgotten. He beheld the majesty of holiness,

and felt himself to be inefficient and unworthy. He was ready to go forth as Heaven's messenger,

unawed by the human, because he had looked upon the Divine. He could stand erect and fearless

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in the presence of earthly monarchs, because he had bowed low before the King of kings.

(Desire of Ages, page 103)

Desire of Ages, page 330: Worry is blind, and cannot discern the future; but Jesus sees the end from the

beginning. In every difficulty He has His way prepared to bring relief. Our heavenly Father has a

thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle

of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path

before their feet. (Desire of Ages, page 330)

Steps to Christ, pages 68-72: In the matchless gift of His Son, God has encircled the whole world with an

atmosphere of grace as real as the air which circulates around the globe. All who choose to

breathe this life-giving atmosphere will live and grow up to the stature of men and women in

Christ Jesus.

As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may aid in perfecting its beauty and

symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of Righteousness, that heaven's light may shine upon us,

that our character may be developed into the likeness of Christ.

Jesus teaches the same thing when He says, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot

bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me … Without

Me ye (69) can do nothing." John 15:4, 5. You are just as dependent upon Christ, in order to live a

holy life, as is the branch upon the parent stock for growth and fruitfulness. Apart from Him you

have no life. You have no power to resist temptation or to grow in grace and holiness. Abiding in

Him, you may flourish. Drawing your life from Him, you will not wither nor be fruitless. You will

be like a tree planted by the rivers of water.

Many have an idea that they must do some part of the work alone. They have trusted in Christ

for the forgiveness of sin, but now they seek by their own efforts to live aright. But every such

effort must fail. Jesus says, "Without Me ye can do nothing." Our growth in grace, our joy, our

usefulness – all depend upon our union with Christ. It is by communion with Him, daily, hourly –

by abiding in Him – that we are to grow in grace. He is not only the Author, but the Finisher of

our faith. It is Christ first and last and always. He is to be with us, not only at the beginning and

the end of our course, but at every step of the way. David says, "I have set the Lord always

before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8.

Do you ask, "How am I to abide in Christ?" In the same way as you received Him at first. "As ye

have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." "The just shall live by faith."

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Colossians 2:6; Hebrews 10:38. You gave yourself to God, to be His wholly, to serve and obey

Him, and you took Christ as your Saviour. You could not yourself atone for your sins or change

your heart; but having given (70) yourself to God, you believe that He for Christ's sake did all this

for you. By faith you became Christ's, and by faith you are to grow up in Him – by giving and

taking. You are to give all – your heart, your will, your service – give yourself to Him to obey all

His requirements; and you must take all – Christ, the fullness of all blessing, to abide in your

heart, to be your strength, your righteousness, your everlasting helper – to give you power to

obey.

Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be,

"Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service.

Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee." This is a daily matter. Each morning

consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or

given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the

hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.

A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an

abiding, peaceful trust. Your hope is not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His

strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might. So you are not to look

to yourself, not to let the mind dwell upon self, but look to Christ. Let the mind dwell upon His

love, upon the beauty, the perfection, of His character. Christ in His self-denial, Christ in His

humiliation, Christ in (71) His purity and holiness, Christ in His matchless love – this is the subject

for the soul's contemplation. It is by loving Him, copying Him, depending wholly upon Him, that

you are to be transformed into His likeness.

Jesus says, "Abide in Me." These words convey the idea of rest, stability, confidence. Again He

invites, “Come unto Me … and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28. The words of the psalmist

express the same thought: "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." And Isaiah gives the

assurance, "In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength." Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 30:15. This

rest is not found in inactivity; for in the Saviour's invitation the promise of rest is united with the

call to labor: "Take My yoke upon you … and ye shall find rest." Matthew 11:29. The heart that

rests most fully upon Christ will be most earnest and active in labor for Him.

When the mind dwells upon self, it is turned away from Christ, the source of strength and life.

Hence it is Satan's constant effort to keep the attention diverted from the Saviour and thus

prevent the union and communion of the soul with Christ. The pleasures of the world, life's cares

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and perplexities and sorrows, the faults of others, or your own faults and imperfections – to any

or all of these he will seek to divert the mind. Do not be misled by his devices. Many who are

really conscientious, and who desire to live for God, he too often leads to dwell upon their own

faults and weaknesses, and thus by separating them from Christ he hopes to (72) gain the

victory. We should not make self the center and indulge anxiety and fear as to whether we shall

be saved. All this turns the soul away from the Source of our strength. Commit the keeping of

your soul to God, and trust in Him. Talk and think of Jesus. Let self be lost in Him. Put away all

doubt; dismiss your fears. Say with the apostle Paul, "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and

the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave

Himself for me." Galatians 2:20. Rest in God. He is able to keep that which you have committed

to Him. If you will leave yourself in His hands, He will bring you off more than conqueror through

Him that has loved you. (Steps to Christ, pages 68-72)