“Wherefore we labor [we are ambitious], that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:9
“And that ye study [ye are ambitious] to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11
“Yea, so have I strived [I have been ambitious] to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” Romans 15:20
Are we ambitious? Do we want our children to be ambitious? We should not encourage our children to seek an elevated position in this world. But ambition is a good thing if our focus is correct. God does not want us to strive for selfish goals, but He does not want us to be lazy, either. He wants us to be ambitious . . . to reach the goals He sets for us. The word (G5389) which Strong’s dictionary defines as “to be ambitious” is used three times in the New Testament. Strong’s further explains this word to mean “eager or earnest to do something.”
In 2 Corinthians 5:9, we are told to be ambitious to be well-pleasing to the Lord. Our first and ongoing goal should be to be acceptable to Him.
Then 1 Thessalonians 4:11 gives us three guidelines for how we should act in our corner of life. We should be ambitious to be quiet. That’s not usually what we think of as an ambition, but God wants us to be earnest about being still, watching our tongues, and resting in Him. Sometimes it takes amazing strength to keep our mouths shut! God also wants us to be earnest about minding our own business. Taking care of our own responsibilities is enough of a task without meddling with other people’s problems. Thirdly, we are told to be eager to work with our own hands so that we can carry our own weight and not burden others.
Romans 15:10 tells us that we are also to be eager to preach the gospel. God has forgiven us and blessed us abundantly, and He does not want us to keep our mouths shut about it. He wants us to work in His strength to give the good news to others. We can begin with our friends, neighbors, and grocery store cashiers; and we can pray about ways to bring God’s Word to others as well. These goals are worthy of our energies! They are worthy of teaching to our children, too. We can float downstream in life or we can be eager to follow God’s plan.