Ambition: The Kingdom Way

As a follower of Jesus, you don’t have to run from success. Nor should you serve it as an idol. Too many Christians feel ashamed for wanting to accomplish things and rise to the tops of their industries. Or they get caught up in the rat race, forgetting that God’s kingdom defines success counterculturally.

The problem with worldly ambition is that it leads to entitlement and pride. The “self-made” man, upon achieving his goals, feels he earned them and therefore has no obligation to answer to anyone else. In Scripture, we see a different posture.

Ambition starts with acknowledging that nothing actually belongs to you. Everything is a gift, entrusted to you by God—the creator and owner of all things. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Similarly, David prays, “Who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (1 Chronicles 29:14).

Developing ambition means cultivating a fierce desire to handle those things responsibly—not solely for your benefit, but for the Lord’s purposes.

This responsibility is paradoxical: Our lives are not entirely our own, yet we bear personal responsibility. It’s about doing our best with what we’ve been given, trusting God to guide and teach us along the way. Imagine a gardener nurturing their garden to yield fruit; they must tend to the soil, remove weeds, and protect the plants from pests. However, while the gardener plants and waters, it is ultimately God who brings the harvest.

When you embrace ambition as stewardship, it changes your motivation. Instead of buckling under the pressure to build your brand, you become an ambassador for God’s kingdom. Your gifts point others to him.

At its core, dominance is a symptom of selfishness and insecurity. Power is a way to prop ourselves up. But as those already loved, redeemed, and adopted in God’s family, our acceptance isn’t contingent on our success. We’re free from the pressure to be the best, even as we give our best.

During the Last Supper when Jesus’s disciples are duking it out over status, even as Jesus is moments away from betrayal and crucifixion, he tells his disciples: “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest; and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:25-27).

Jesus doesn’t rebuke their desires for greatness; he redefines greatness and redirects them toward service. He contrasts the worldly model of leadership, which often involves exerting power over others, with the kingdom model, which is rooted in service and humility. He positions himself as the prime example of this servant leadership, underscoring that true greatness in his kingdom is not about being elevated or having authority over others but about being a servant to all.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, as part of his emphasis on the importance of leading quiet lives, Paul encourages us to work diligently with our own hands, maintain independence, and demonstrate a life worthy of respect. He posits that it is not merely our words but also the consistent testimony of our lives that draws others to Christ. The apostle Peter echoes this idea: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us” (1 Peter 2:12).

Through our actions, we embody the church’s mission to redeem and reconcile, persuading even skeptics of the genuine nature of our faith. By living exemplary lives, we fulfill our roles within the church as well as extend an invitation to outsiders to witness and eventually glorify God through their own transformations.

Whatever gifts you have are a way to serve others. They’re a way to bless the world. You have this pent-up energy and desire for greatness—fantastic! Now channel that into serving others not just where you want to but also where you’re needed.

Would a friend starting a business benefit from your skills or knowledge? Does a ministry at your church need volunteers? Do you have a dream that would make your neighborhood or city a better place? Could you be the hands and feet of Jesus to someone whom you know is struggling? Look for those sparks—those places God is stirring your heart toward something or someone—and stoke the fire of your ambition.

Adapted from Godly Ambition: Unlocking the Full Potential of Your Time, Talent, and Treasure. Copyright © 2025 by Kings Dream Entertainment. Published by WaterBrook, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group. Used by permission. Ruslan KD is a Christian hip-hop artist and content creator whose platform includes discussions on faith, lifestyle and music. Listen to his recent interview on LIFE TODAY.