Ambition, when driven by self-centered desires and the pursuit of personal glory, is often depicted in the Bible as vanity and a departure from godly wisdom. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings that highlight the futility and spiritual dangers of such ambition.

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, known for his wisdom, reflects on the vanity of human endeavors. Ecclesiastes 1:14 states, "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and indeed, all is vanity and a chasing after the wind." This verse underscores the transient nature of earthly pursuits, including ambitious endeavors that are not rooted in the fear of the Lord.

The account of the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-9 illustrates the folly of human ambition when it seeks to elevate man above God. The people said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4). Their ambition was to achieve greatness apart from God, resulting in confusion and dispersion.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of ambition among His disciples. In Mark 10:43-44 , He teaches, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all." Here, Jesus redefines greatness, contrasting worldly ambition with the humility and service that characterize true discipleship.

The Apostle Paul also warns against selfish ambition. In Philippians 2:3 , he exhorts believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." Paul emphasizes the importance of humility and the dangers of prideful ambition, which can lead to division and strife within the Christian community.

James, the brother of Jesus, further elaborates on the destructive nature of selfish ambition. In James 3:16 , he writes, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This passage highlights the chaos and moral decay that accompany ambition rooted in envy and self-interest.

The Bible consistently calls believers to examine their motives and align their ambitions with God's will. In Matthew 6:33 , Jesus instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This directive encourages believers to prioritize spiritual pursuits over worldly ambitions, trusting that God will provide for their needs.

Throughout Scripture, the vanity of ambition is contrasted with the eternal value of seeking God's kingdom and serving others. The biblical narrative invites believers to pursue a life marked by humility, service, and a focus on eternal rewards rather than temporary accolades.Job 20:5-9
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 24:24
They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:11-20
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Use of Money
... Not enough of foolish and hurtful desires? Not enough of pride, lust, ambition
vanity? not enough of everlasting burnings? Poor wretch! ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 50 the use of.htm

Vanity of Human Glory.
... But the most dangerous, perhaps, of all kinds of vanity is to be vain of our ... to be
good men, and much more to seek their praises, which is a kind of ambition. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xii vanity of human.htm

Inevitable Nemesis
... Ambition this shall tempt to rise, ... Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; vanity
of vanities"all is vanity!" True always, it never seemed more true than now ...
/.../chapter xxviii inevitable nemesis.htm

The Soul Ought not to be Disquieted, nor Draw Back in the ...
... and will have for himself, with the rough file of temptation, with which he polishes
it from the rust of pride, avarice, vanity, ambition, presumption, and self ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap ix the soul ought.htm

Ananias and Sapphira
... only too well, how far short the Church on earth falls of that"how much worldliness,
and vanity, and ambition"yes, and even grosser sins"mingle with our ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ananias and sapphira.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... We indulge our reason, we indulge our passions, we indulge our ambition, our vanity,
our love of power; we throw ourselves into the society of bad, worldly, or ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

His Character.
... The contrast between the pure and holy zeal of the preacher and the reformer and
the ambition and vanity of a woman on the throne is very striking and must be ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter xi his character.htm

Christ's Own Testimony Concerning Himself.
... All this he does without the remotest sense of pride or ambition or vanity,
but with the simplicity and authority of self-evident truth. ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/christs own testimony concerning himself.htm

David's Deserts
... Nothing is sacred in their eyes. Luxury, ambition, revenge, vanity, recklessness
of decency, open rebellion, disgrace them in the sight of all men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon iv davids deserts.htm

Remembering How Far the Writer of Our Book Excels all who have ...
... High ambition, and deeds which surpass it, fame crowning them all, Brought to blaze ...
light, than a thousand years twice told, thus spent in vanity, without real ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vi remembering how far.htm

Who was John the Apostle in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong for a Christian to have the goal of being rich and famous? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about humility? | GotQuestions.org

Ambition: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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