Godly Ambition: Maximize Your Gifts for ChristNäide

FINDING SUCCESS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR SOUL

“Can I talk to you for a second?”

I had just finished speaking at a ministry when a smartly dressed young man approached me. He explained he was a visual artist. Curious, I took a moment to check out his work online—it was impressive.

“This is great stuff. Are you pursuing art full-time?”

“No, I’m working twenty hours a week. Other than that, just kicking it.”

I took a beat. “Gotcha. Well, do you want to pursue your art full-time?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t want to become too successful, ya know?”

I understood the tension he felt. Sometimes we view ambition as a vice more than a virtue. We strive to maximize our God-given gifts, but we’ve also seen what happens when people get carried away with pride in their successes. So we end up ashamed to admit that we’re driven to create, build, and achieve.

This young man was full of potential but held back, fearing that success would corrupt his character. His response saddened me. As followers of Jesus, we don’t have to run from success or feel bad for wanting to accomplish things. Nor should we serve success as an idol.

James 3:14 (NIV) tells us, “If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambi­tion in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.” In Greek, “selfish ambition” is the term eritheia. It refers to those who snatch what they want by unfair means. It’s cutting in line, steamrolling others, and letting jealousy fuel one’s actions. It’s selfish ambition that is dangerous.

But I have good news: There is a way to pursue excellence—even success—without losing your soul. There is a way to dedicate your drive to God.

When we look at Jesus’s teachings, we see that he doesn’t rebuke our desire for greatness—instead, He radically redefines what it means to be great. He contrasts the worldly model of pride and power with the kingdom model, which is rooted in service and humility.

So how do we know when our ambition is selfish and when it is godly? That’s what we’re going to look at next.

Lord, thank you for creating me with drive, desire, and determination. Everything I have, including my time, talent, and treasure, is for your glory. You have gifted me to bless others, so help me live out that high calling. Amen.