READING • MATTHEW 18
Ambition needs a direction
The Bible does not condemn every desire to achieve something. It warns strongly against pride, rivalry, self-promotion and the desire to rule over others. A disciple may have energy, ability and worthwhile goals—but those goals must be directed toward serving God and helping other people.
“Who is the greatest?”
The disciples repeatedly struggled with questions of position and importance. In Matthew 18 they asked Jesus directly who would be greatest in the Kingdom. Jesus answered by placing a little child in their midst. The lesson was not that children are automatically sinless or perfect, but that his disciples needed humility rather than self-importance.
“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4, KJV
A request for the best places
In Matthew 20 the mother of James and John asked that her sons might sit in places of special honour in Christ’s Kingdom. The other ten disciples were indignant. Jesus did not encourage competition for rank. Instead he completely changed their idea of greatness.
“But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.”
Matthew 20:26–27, KJV
Jesus then pointed to himself. The Son of man came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Christian greatness is therefore measured by service, not status.
Ambition that becomes pride
Matthew 23 warns against religious ambition. Jesus criticised leaders who loved titles, public recognition and the chief places. His warning applies to disciples in every age: outward religion can become a way of gaining admiration rather than serving God.
“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
Matthew 23:11–12, KJV
Jesus washed their feet
On the night before his death, Jesus gave his disciples a vivid lesson in leadership. He washed their feet, taking the place normally given to a servant. He was their Master and Lord, yet he deliberately chose the lowly task.
“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
John 13:14–15, KJV
Is all ambition wrong?
No. Scripture can speak positively about desiring useful responsibility. Paul wrote, “If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work” (1 Timothy 3:1). The important words are “a good work”. The aim is not prestige, but useful service carried out with the right character.
SELFISH AMBITION
GODLY ASPIRATION
“I want people to notice me.”
“I want to become more useful to God and to other people.”
“I must be first.”
“I will do the work that needs doing, even if nobody praises me.”
“I want authority over others.”
“If responsibility is given to me, I will use it to serve.”
“Another person’s success threatens me.”
“I can rejoice when another person’s gifts are used well.”
“The result matters more than the method.”
“I will not gain an advantage by dishonesty, manipulation or cruelty.”
A useful test
Ask not only, “What do I want to achieve?” but also, “Why do I want it, who will benefit, what methods will I use, and what will this goal do to my relationship with God?”
Haman — ambition turned poisonous
The book of Esther gives a powerful example of ambition corrupted by pride. The original lesson calls Haman an Amalekite, but Esther itself identifies him as “Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite” (Esther 3:1). His exact ancestry should therefore not be stated more confidently than Scripture does.
Haman had already been promoted to a very high position. Yet Mordecai’s refusal to bow to him wounded his pride so deeply that he plotted not only against Mordecai but against all the Jews in the Persian Empire. His ambition had become pride, resentment and a desire to destroy other people.
HAMAN’S PATTERN
WARNING FOR US
Promotion did not satisfy him.
Achievement cannot cure pride or insecurity.
He demanded recognition.
Needing constant honour can make us resentful.
One man’s refusal became an obsession.
Personal offence can grow into injustice if it is fed.
He used influence to harm others.
Power is dangerous when separated from humility and mercy.
Daniel — ability without self-glory
Daniel was highly capable and eventually held great responsibility, but the book repeatedly shows him directing honour toward God. When Nebuchadnezzar demanded the meaning of his dream, Daniel refused to pretend that the answer came from his own wisdom.
“But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets… But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living.”
Daniel 2:28, 30, KJV
Daniel therefore shows that success, skill and responsibility are not themselves wrong. The danger begins when we turn our abilities into reasons for pride, superiority or self-promotion.
The emptiness of achievement without God
Ecclesiastes examines what happens when achievement itself becomes the goal. The writer describes great works, possessions and pleasures, but concludes that these things cannot provide lasting meaning by themselves. Ambition needs a purpose greater than the self.
“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought… and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11, KJV
Ambition in work, study and daily life
A disciple does not need to become lazy or deliberately unsuccessful. Good work, learning, skill and responsible leadership can all be valuable. The question is whether they are pursued faithfully. A Christian should be known for honesty, reliability and concern for others—not for ruthless self-advancement.
A HEALTHY GOAL…
BECOMES UNHEALTHY WHEN…
To do our job well
we lie, manipulate, bully or undermine colleagues to get ahead.
To gain qualifications
knowledge becomes a way of feeling superior to other people.
To lead well
leadership becomes control, status or the need to have the final word.
To provide for our family
money and advancement crowd out worship, family responsibility or integrity.
To serve in the ecclesia
we seek office, visibility or praise rather than the good of the body.
Competition inside the ecclesia
The disciples’ arguments about greatness warn us particularly about ambition in the ecclesia. Speaking, organising, teaching and pastoral responsibility are opportunities to serve, not prizes to be won. No brother or sister becomes more valuable to God because a role is more visible.
Paul gives a useful principle for every form of Christian service:
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Philippians 2:3–4, KJV
When ambition brings influence
Some disciples will become employers, managers, teachers, organisers or people whose decisions affect many others. Influence can be used well. The test is whether those under our care become safer, stronger and better supported because of our leadership.
Leadership in the pattern of Christ
Christian leadership is not weakness. Jesus could speak firmly, make decisions and correct wrongdoing. But his authority was never used to feed his ego. He led in truth, compassion and self-sacrifice.
Turning ambition into service
The energy that drives ambition can be redirected. Instead of asking how far we can rise, we can ask how much good we can do. Instead of wanting people beneath us, we can look for people who need lifting up.
IF YOU HAVE…
USE IT TO…
Organising ability
make work easier and fairer for others.
Business or professional skill
act honestly, create good work and treat people justly.
Knowledge of Scripture
teach patiently and strengthen faith rather than display learning.
Money or influence
support worthwhile needs without seeking praise.
Energy and determination
persist in preaching, service and care when the work is difficult.
What have we learned?
1. Jesus repeatedly warned his disciples against competition for status and honour.
2. Humility is essential: the greatest disciple is the one prepared to serve.
3. Not every aspiration is wrong. Scripture can approve the desire to undertake a “good work”.
4. Ambition becomes sinful when it is driven by pride, rivalry, greed, resentment or the desire to dominate.
5. Haman shows how wounded pride and power can combine to harm others.
6. Daniel shows that great ability and responsibility can be combined with humility and dependence on God.
7. Achievement cannot provide lasting satisfaction if God is absent from its purpose.
8. In employment, family life and ecclesial service, methods matter as much as goals.
9. The best Christian ambition is to become more useful in God’s service and more helpful to other people.
Passages to read
Matthew 18:1–5 • Matthew 20:20–28 • Matthew 23:1–12 • John 13:1–17 • Esther 3–7 • Daniel 2:24–30 • Ecclesiastes 2 • Philippians 2:1–11
VERSE TO LEARN • PHILIPPIANS 2:3–4
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 1