Ambition: A Sinful Trait Or A Path To Success?

Whether or not ambition is a sin is a complex question, with various interpretations depending on the context. In the Bible, the word ambition takes on a different dimension, encouraging people to lead a quiet life, mind their own business, and work diligently. The Bible teaches that selfish ambition, or seeking success and competing with others, is not what Christians should strive for. Instead, Christians are called to be ambitious for Christ and to seek honour and esteem from God rather than from people. The apostle Paul, for instance, made it his ambition to preach the gospel with a godly motive. However, some sources claim that ambition, in general, is harmful and opposed to the gospel. Others argue that Christians have an uncomfortable and unhealthy relationship with ambition, especially Christian women, who may be discouraged from exhibiting drive and ambition within the church.

The Bible's take on ambition

The Bible does not outright condemn ambition, but it makes a clear distinction between selfish, worldly ambition and ambition that is pleasing to God.

Worldly ambition

The Bible warns against seeking success, wealth, and status in competition with others. This type of ambition is driven by a desire to have more than others and to be better than them. It is associated with greed and a shallow focus on money. Worldly ambition leads to dissatisfaction and is considered a sin.

Godly ambition

In contrast, Christians are encouraged to have ambition in the Lord, working for the Lord and not out of rivalry or a desire to be better than others. This involves seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and being humble, considering others as better than oneself.

Godly ambition is about seeking to advance the Kingdom of God, preach the Good News, and lead others to Christ. It is about being faithful to God and glorifying Him, rather than seeking honour and esteem from men.

The Bible teaches that ambition can be positive and pleasing to God when it is directed towards spiritual goals and serving others, rather than selfish gain.

Worldly vs godly ambition

Ambition is defined as "an intense drive for success or power; a desire to achieve honour, wealth or fame". In the worldly sense, ambition is driven by a desire to have more than your neighbour. The Bible, however, offers a different perspective on ambition. It encourages believers to "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands" (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Worldly Ambition

Worldly ambition is driven by selfishness and a desire to succeed in the things of the world, often at the expense of others. It involves competing with others and striving to be better or have more than them. This type of ambition is considered sinful in the Bible, as it is motivated by pride and a desire for human approval rather than a desire to please God.

Godly Ambition

In contrast, godly ambition is driven by a desire to serve God and bring glory to Him. It involves seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Godly ambition is characterised by humility, putting others before oneself, and making sacrifices for the benefit of others. This type of ambition is motivated by a love for God and a desire to further His Kingdom, rather than personal gain or recognition.

Examples of Godly Ambition

The late John Stott, a renowned evangelist and author, is often cited as an example of godly ambition. Despite his influence and recognition, Stott was known for his humility and dedication to serving the Lord. He was more concerned with changing the world for Christ than with personal success or accolades.

Another example is the apostle Paul, who made it his ambition to preach the gospel, not for his own glory but to bring honour to God (Romans 15:20). Paul encouraged believers to aspire to live quietly, minding their own affairs, and working diligently for the glory of God (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

In conclusion, while ambition in itself is not inherently wrong, the object of that ambition is crucial. Worldly ambition seeks success, power, and honour in this life, often at the expense of others. Godly ambition, on the other hand, seeks to honour God and further His Kingdom, characterised by humility, self-sacrifice, and a desire to serve others.

Selfish ambition is a sin

The Bible does not view all forms of ambition as good. Selfish ambition is a sin.

The Bible uses the word "ambition" five times in the ESV translation. Four out of those five times, the Greek word "eritheia" is used, which means faction, intrigue, strife, or contention. This is translated as "selfish ambition" in Philippians 1:17, 2:3, James 3:14, 16, Romans 2:8, 2 Corinthians 12:20, and Galatians 5:20. The Bible clearly teaches that selfish ambition is not what Christians are called to.

Selfish ambition is about seeking success in the things of the world and competing with others. It is about wanting to have more than others and be better than them. It is driven by a desire for self-glory, recognition, and success in one's own favour. This type of ambition is earthly, unspiritual, and even demonic, according to James 3:14-17. It breeds disorder and every evil practice.

However, ambition in itself is not inherently wrong. The Greek word for "ambition", "philotim", means "to esteem as an honour". The Bible teaches that Christians should have the ambition to seek and honour Christ, not the world. This involves humility, counting others as more significant than oneself, and serving others rather than seeking to be served.

Christians are called to have a godly ambition, striving earnestly to preach the gospel and bring glory to God, as seen in Romans 15:20 and 2 Corinthians 5:8-9. Their ambition should be to please God, not people, and to seek first His kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

In summary, while selfish ambition is a sin, Christians can have a godly ambition that is driven by a desire to honour Christ and further His kingdom.

Christians' relationship with ambition

Christians have a complicated relationship with ambition. While ambition is not inherently a sin, it can become one if it is selfish or driven by a desire to seek honour and esteem from others. The Bible encourages Christians to be ambitious in serving God and advancing His kingdom, rather than seeking worldly success or recognition.

The Bible uses the word “ambition” five times in the ESV translation, four of which refer to “selfish ambition” or “strife” (Philippians 1:17; 2:3; James 3:14, 16; Romans 2:8; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20). This kind of ambition is condemned as it stems from a desire for personal gain rather than a desire to glorify God. Christians are called to imitate Christ, who came to serve others (Mark 10:45), and to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

However, the Bible also recognises that ambition can be directed towards godly purposes. For example, the apostle Paul writes that he made it his ambition to preach the gospel and to please God (Romans 15:20; 2 Corinthians 5:8-9). Christians should aspire to live quietly, minding their own business, and working diligently for the glory of God (1 Thessalonians 4:11). This kind of ambition is driven by a desire to honour God rather than oneself.

In conclusion, Christians can have a healthy relationship with ambition when it is directed towards godly purposes and motivated by a desire to glorify God rather than oneself. Selfish ambition, on the other hand, is condemned in the Bible as it distracts from the true purpose of following Christ.

Gendered expectations of ambition

The traditional view of an ambitious worker is someone who is "single-mindedly dedicated to climbing the career ladder". This model of ambition was established when professionals were typically men supported by women at home. However, this view has been challenged in recent years as women have become integral to the workforce.

Despite this, women still face obstacles in the transition from entry-level positions to management roles, leading to a persistent gender gap in senior leadership. This is partly due to the disproportionate domestic burden that women bear, which can hinder their ability to focus solely on career advancement. As a result, women are often assumed to be less ambitious than men.

Women are also penalized for expressing too much interest in achievement, especially if it is at the expense of 'niceness'. They are often labelled as aggressive or demanding when they ask for more responsibility, opportunity, or money. This is known as the "ambition penalty".

The concept of ambition itself is gendered, with men expected to be ambitious and women expected to be nice. This dynamic is perpetuated by both genders, and non-conformance can result in harsh penalties. The pressure to conform to these gendered expectations can lead women to prioritize niceness over achievement, hindering their career advancement and reinforcing the gender gap in workplace ambition.

Additionally, women of colour face further challenges due to the "Pet-to-Threat" trap, where they are praised for their work but blocked from advancement, experiencing feelings of tokenism, invisibility, pressure to assimilate, mistreatment, and overprotection by colleagues.

To address these issues, it is essential to recognize that ambition encompasses various motivations beyond vertical advancement, such as personal growth, social connections, and making a difference. By acknowledging these diverse motivations, we can redefine success beyond traditional measures of authority and status. This includes recognizing the value of horizontal ambition, which focuses on self-development and communal goals, as opposed to vertical ambition, which is concerned with power, promotion, and money.

Furthermore, it is crucial to challenge gender stereotypes and biased assumptions about women's ambitions. Women should not be penalized for aspiring to leadership positions or seeking recognition. Instead, we should encourage and support their ambitions, ensuring that they have the same opportunities as men to achieve their career goals.

In conclusion, the gendered expectations of ambition are deeply ingrained in society and have significant implications for women's career advancement. To create a more equitable workplace, it is essential to redefine our understanding of ambition, challenge gender stereotypes, and provide women with the support and opportunities they need to succeed.

Frequently asked questions