INTRODUCTION
Ambition is seen by many in the christaindom as a goal someone or people set in life to see he/they achieve their set target. The bible verse to look at is Haggai 1:4 which says
" Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins'? This is what the sovereign lord of heaven armies says "
In four brief profesies,Haggai encourage the return exiles to set proper priorities by rebuilding the temple of the Lord rather than focusing their efforts on their own houses. Failure to have the right priority was result in many hardship but the lord promised to encourage them through his spirit among them.
1, What is happening to us negatively is as a reason of our wrong choice of false priority (Haggai 1 :3 - 4 )
2, we eat but are not satisfied,we drink but are still thirsty, we put on cloths but they don't keep us warm, our wages disappear as though we put them in pockets filled with holes ( Haggai 1 : 6 )
3, we hope for rich harvest but they were poor, when we brought our harvest ho.e it blew away (Haggai 1 : 9 )
Why are these things happening?
Because we choose many false priority and left the business of advancing the kingdom of God and contending for the faith to lie in ruin or waste. Help us father to care about your work more than our Comfort here on earth.
WHAT ARE THE EXAMPLE OF PROPER AMBITION IN THE BIBLE?
1, By witnessing to unbelievers Romans 15:20
" my ambition has always been to preach the good news we're d name of Jesus Christ has never been heard, rather than we're a church has already been started by someone else "
One good ambition as Paul would say, is to witness to unbelievers so that they will come to the light of the gospel. This should be our priority as christains today.
2, Being devoted to the lord - 1 Corinthians 7:32
" I want you to be free from concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the lords work and thinking how to please him "
here the bible is not saying that marriage is bad, it was God who created marriage in the garden of eden, but that when you marry you have a mision field you will put most of your effort towards.
3, Desiring the greater gift especially love_ 1st chorinthians 12 : 31
" so you should desire the most helpful gift earnestly, but now let me show you the best gift of all which is love"
1 Corinthians 13:7
"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endure through all circumstances "
4, To please God in everything - 2 Corinthians 5 : 9
So whether we are here I this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him (God)"
Our goal as Christians should be be to please God be it the physical body or in spirit, we should please him in all aspect of our lives.
5, pursuing righteousness and godliness - 1 Timothy 6:11
" But you Timothy are a man of God,So then run from all these wicked things, pursue righteousness and a Godly life, along with faith , perseverance ,love and gentleness."
C, THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF PROPER AMBITIONS IN THE BIBLE AS LISTED BELOW.
1, Forging ahead and serving Christ- Phillipians 3:12-14
2, Lead I g a quiet and diligent life - 1 Thessalonians 4:11
3, Striving for perfection ,Unity andpeace - 2 Cori thians 13 :11
WHAT ARE THE EXAMPLES OF IMPROPER AMBITIONS
There are several examples of improper ambitions in the bible but we are going to examine just a few.they are ::-
1, when we attempt to displace God - Ezekiel 28:2
" Son of man give the prince of Tyrell this message from the sovereign Lord.
In your great pride you claim, I am god , I sit on divine throne but you are only a man not a God"
2 Thessalonians 2 :3 - 4 says ::-
" Don't be fooled by what they say, for that day will not come until there's a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the one who bring as destruction."
False prophets who had suggested that the day of the lord has already come cause to return to the subject of hope in this second later. He indicated the return of the lord would until event surrounding a certain " man of lawlessness" occurred.
2, Attempting to glorify oneself - Genesis 11: 3 -4
" They said to each other come let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly "
They used bricks instead of stone and tar for mortar then they said " Come let us build for our selves a city withatowerthat reaches to the heavens so that we may make name for ourselves, otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the earth".
A tower of Babel was a great human achievement, a wonder of the world, but it was a monument to the people themselves rather than to God. We sometimes buy cars , houses , clothes , and good jobs for ourselves ,they are not bad but when we use them to give identity and self worth then they take Gods place in our lives.
3, Seeking riches. -Luke 12 :13 -21
1 kings 3 :7- 12
4, When we serve our own selfish wants - Philippians 2 :3
" Don't be selfish , don't try to impress others ,be humble thinking of other better than yourself"
5, When compete with others in the kingdom - Philippians 1 :15
" It is true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry but others preach about Christ with pure motives"
Paul had an amazing selfish reasons/ attitude, he knew that some were preaching to build their own reputation taking advantage of Paul's imprisonment to try and make name for themselves regardless of the motive Paul rejoice at the preaching of the gospel.
Verses 17 of Philippians says " For the former preach out of selfish ambition not sincerely supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains "
Paul would not condom nor does God excuse their motives but we should be glad that we would use their messages regardless of their motives.
CONCLUSION
A part from the explanation given above the good example of priorities, construction of the temple Of god so that people of God can worship him in truth and spirit is also very important.
2 Samuel 7 :13 -13 says
" For when you die and are buried with your ancestors , I will raise up one of your descendant s, your own offering and I will make his kingdom strong, he is the one who will build a house a temple for my name and I will secure his royal throne forever
PRAYER
1, Heavenly father ,I thank you for your word that had come forth so strong in my life.
2,I pray you help me to hearken unto it and be a doer not jus a reader in Jesus name.
3, Lord help me to set good priorities in my life and help me to stay away from bad priorities.
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