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Hey Arthur and Sandra-

I had a quick question- Do you guys know of any good literature on the Christian philosophy toward "ambition"? It's a topic that I’ve tried to find some info about, but it seems to be thin.

I have a gut feeling that many … have a misconception when it comes to personal ambitions. I'm always hearing people say "ambition is good".

However, I can't help but be disturbed anytime I hear that (because it's almost never referring to what I feel are Christ like ambitions, it's always referring to career, money, status, things of that nature). If anything, I feel like the bible teaches that ambition is a very dangerous thing; it grants a lot of room for putting oneself at the throne of their life, and spurs discontent.

Of course, I think that having an ambition of becoming more like Christ is positive and required; however, I’d say that this is no longer ambition; this is discipleship, because it involves less of our own ideas, and more obedience to Christ's commands.

However, because I have yet to do a more thorough study on what the Word says on that particular topic, I want to refrain from formulating any one-sided view. I don't want to go with my gut feel, but actually see it as the bible teaches. If you have any texts that you can suggest about this topic, I’d appreciate any pinpointing. Hope these words find you well. Say hi to the kids for me. God bless.

A Brother

Hey!

Great to hear from you.

Yeah, I hear you. I would agree with you. I'm not familiar with any books on that subject, in particular. Perhaps, that is because pretty much the whole Bible is laced with instruction to pursue Christ alone, and then everything else will fall into place. Some verses immediately come to mind (though I don't remember the references for all of them):

Matt. 6:33 - "Seek first (which really means 'only') the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

"You cannot serve two masters ... you must love the one and hate the other." One cannot serve both Christ and money (or anything else).

"Love the Lord your God (not anything else) with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength ..." and then after that, "love your neighbor as yourself."

"If anyone wishes to follow me, he must deny himself (and his worldly ambition), take up his cross, and follow me."

Matt. 8:14 - the parable of the sower - speaks to what happens when people are ambitious for this world, " ... they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity."

Luke 12:22-34 reminds us NOT to be worried or anxious (or ambitious, I believe) for our lives, as to what we shall eat, our bodies, our possessions, "for all these things the nations of the world eagerly week; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek for His kingdom and these things shall be added to you." (in His own time, in His own way, God shall supply ALL our needs, according to HIS riches - Phil. 4:19)

In fact, in order to follow Jesus, the disciples had to leave house and home.

You'll remember that the rich, young ruler went away sad because Jesus told him to sell all he had to feed the poor, and then follow Him. His desire to keep his wealth was just so strong, so he went away sad.

I guess all this points to what you may remember me calling "Christ AND ..." theology, where we want more than Christ: Christ AND success, Christ AND security, Christ AND wealth, ad nauseam, ad infinitum. But Christ ALONE is more than sufficient, is He not? All the AND stuff is really saying that He's not ... and I guess that's what your complaint is really about, isn't it? Devaluing Christ and His work by chasing after cheap Cracker Jacks trinkets, when we have the crown jewels being offered.

That's how sin is described in Jeremiah 2:13, when God described sin as forsaking God, the living water, in order to hew for cistern water. I always wondered why that was considered sin. Stupid, yes, but sin? It was when I realized what the hewing for cistern water really meant. It meant that no matter what God did to redeem us - including the incomprehensible act of sacrificing His only begotten - sinners still refuse Him, so we can still say we did it, that we got ourselves where we are, even if it means drinking filthy cistern water (which can be likened to today's "stuff"). At least this way, we're not obligated. That's evil, plain and simple.

Anyway, it certainly is tough to keep focused. It starts from the heart ... where the Lord looks (1Sam. 16:7). And don’t get me wrong, we are to be ambitious to do everything with a good, godly attitude, with thankfulness, and excellence (Col. 3:23 – whatever you do, do your work heartily as for the Lord rather than for men). We are to be ambitiously working to get to know Him better and love Him more, so ambition in and of itself isn’t the issue. It’s the object of and reason for our ambition that is the real issue, not ambition itself.

I'd ask you to go onto the td web site, look at the Q&A section, and read the question on work. It's somewhat related.

Don't know if that helps at all, but let me know, ok?

Blessings,

Arthur

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