Labor Day is a good reminder to review the “why” we labor week after week. Ambition alert! What is our ambition in life? Our answer is important because it is ambition that fuels our behavior and decision-making.
Ambition should be a healthy motivator of good behavior and good activities, but it also has a more demonic side. Many of us have seen or been victimized in the human wreckage caused by people who have abandoned, manipulated, or abused their families and friends in seeking their own selfish ambitions. People who are driven by the ambition to gain worldly power and prestige will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.
The book of James is an excellent study on practical Christianity. In 3:14-15, the writer says “if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.” James goes on to write in verse 16, “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
That sounds very contemporary. The current behaviors seen in many of our local, state, and national leaders is a sad portrait regarding the power of unbridled, selfish ambition. Even more sad is its presence in the leadership of some churches.
In Mark 9:33-37, we hear Jesus speaking more gently to this subject of selfish ambition, yet with just as strong and powerful words. Earlier in this chapter, Jesus had chosen Peter, James, and John to climb a high mountain with him, where they were all alone. While there they witnessed the glorious transfiguration of Jesus with Elijah and Moses talking with him. It was such a wonderful experience that Peter wanted to stay there.
A few days later on their journey, the disciples are arguing among themselves about who is the greatest among them. How quickly the cloud of selfish ambition overshadows the glorious transfiguration of Jesus that they had just witnessed a few days earlier.
When they arrive in Capernaum and go into the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road.” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
Then Jesus sits down and explains God’s definition of greatness as the willingness to go to the back of the line rather than pushing to be in the front. Jesus clearly teaches that God’s measure of greatness is in being a servant to others and says, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
Jesus said a similar thing on another occasion in Matthew 20:25-28, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Again, Jesus clearly states that greatness is measured by an ambition to serve others. He redefines greatness as not being about satisfying self, but about compassion and service to others. In other words, any personal gain in influence, ability, or opportunity increases one’s responsibility to invest it on behalf of those who lack influence, ability, and opportunity.
When Jesus spoke of achieving greatness and the value of the person whose ambition was to be a servant, he laid down one of the greatest practical truths of all time and eternity – “Anyone who wants to be first (number one, the greatest) must be the very last (in position and power), and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35).
Yes, this teaching runs counter to our selfish ambitions, and yet I think we need to admit that Jesus and James are correct? Think of this. Would not every economic problem be solved if we all lived for what we could do for others and not just for what we can enjoy for ourselves? And, would not every political problem be solved if the ambition of all politicians were to serve the commonwealth and not their own comfort and prestige?
What is my ambition? For what do I labor? The question may be ancient, but it continues to be truly relevant as a measure of my relationship to Jesus. Do you agree?
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 9, 2020
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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