August 30, 2005
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My friend, Stephan (ToxUThat) had a wonderful; post that got me thinking. I just felt like sharing these thoughts on my own site also
Ambition….it can have a negative connotation, why, because it is often associated with people who will do or say anything to get ahead, people who will hurt others just so they can get what they want. However, Jesus teaching often comes to me when I think of this subject, His teaching on the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). God wants us, no….more than that, God calls us to use our gifts and talents in a way that is pleasing and worthy of Him. He clearly does not want us to just “sit” idly by and not use our gifts (Matthew 25:24-28). But the ones who use their gifts and multiply their gifts….those……God wants to bless and multiply their blessing (Matthew 25:20-23). Ambition is only bad if we hurt others for our own gain. God calls us to use the gifts and talents that He has graced us with in a way that will will multiply and grow.
Will people see “ambition” in us? Or will they see God’s blessings on people who multiply what has been given them through God’s grace? What do you think?
Comments (7)
We must have ambition to achieve that right thing – How could we otherwise move ahead and keep growing… my personal opinion from a passerby – jo
It is my hope that they will see Christ in us through our ambition to be everything God created us to be. That they will see Christ blessings on our life not through what we may have materially but through our spirit. I have met people that have nothing as far as material things… but they are the kind of people you want to spend hours getting to know. I dont know if this answered your question…
Oh yes, Tony…..Thanks for sharing your thoughts. So many people think of ambition as always leading toward a material end……it might in the “dog-eat-dog” ambitious world. But not in the hearts of believer’s who truly follow Christ. I don’t even believe that ambition like this or “using our gifts/talents” always has a “ministry” end. What I am trying to say is that we can be ambitious in work, school, home, ministry or whever, and we can do it in manner that can be blessed by God.
would you think that Gifs/talents…could better be construed as the “Gospel”?
I many ways, yes. I believe that anytime we use our gifts and talents in righteous ways we are doing as Jesus taught and we are doing things in a way that God can bless.Webster’s defines ambition as, “an ardent desire for rank, fame, or power” and also as “a desire to achieve a particular end”. My contention, is that when we use our gifts and talents wisely and with the right heart, God will bless and we can still achieve much. However, when we are willing to stop at nothing to get ahead, we may never feel God’s fullfillment and presence.
As in the parable of the Talents, God wants us to multiply our gifts and talents. This can often lead the same place (but in a way that can be blessed by God) as blind ambition. However, the end product is not always material.
For instance, if on the one hand you have a person who wants to be a musician, and he practices, plays at every opportunity, helps others learn, etc, and on the other hand you have a person that has the talent but just sit’s back waiting for something to come their way, who do you think God will bless? I think the person who has multiplied their talents, not the one who is just holding on to them.
I hope it’s Christ they see in us and that though we know His hand (provisions) we seek His face, at his feet.
peace to you
Thanks for the post. Check back for my reply.
Mike