In the New Testament both Paul and James condemn what they call selfish ambition. It is an interesting phrase because we are all selfish by necessity and ambition is a good thing. Selfish ambition described here reminds me of the idea that God helps those who help themselves as is often said by those justifying actions that might not be ethical. The reality is that God helps those who approach him in a humble spirit.

Evil Business

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:16 ESV

James puts it out there plainly. Evil business is what you will find when there is jealousy and selfish ambition. These are destructive forces that tear down others and your own life. A great example of this is Cain and Able.

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:6-7 ESV

We Have it in Us

Look at Cain and compare him to your own thoughts. Able, his brother, makes an offering to God and God accepts the offering. We don’t know what this means exactly but Cain’s offering was rejected by God and Cain is depressed about it. God who rejected Cain’s offering is still talking to him and interacting with him. God tells Cain what he needs to do if he wants to be accepted.

But Cain sees Able being accepted and jealousy rages through him along with his own selfish ambition. “Disorder and every vile practice” happen next.

8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Genesis 4:8 ESV

God warned Cain to rule over his desire. His sins were multiplying and would eventually explode into death and disorder. Dear reader are you mad at someone because they have something you have not attained? This is selfish ambition. Be careful.

Humility Counts

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 ESV

Examine your motives. Are your ambitions motivated by pride? Is your jealousy raging because you think you are better or more deserving? Selfish ambition strikes because you expect God to cater to your needs. You are owed something. Cain thought God was holding out on him when in reality Cain was holding out humility before God.

5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. Matthew 8:5-7 ESV

The Centurion a man of power and in command of soldiers approached Jesus with a bold ambition but it was not self serving, jealous, or conceited. This centurion understood his place before God and in the world. Jesus was impressed, the Bible says he marveled, by the centurion and his offering was accepted just as Able had been accepted. Selfish Ambition gets you nothing before God.

God’s Truth over Self Seeking

but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. Romans 2:8 ESV

Cain was self-seeking when he killed his brother. Eve in the garden taking that fruit of knowledge was self-seeking. Eve and Cain both knew firsthand from God himself what they were to do and how they should do it but what did they do? They rejected Truth. They did not obey what is true. Is it no wonder that the mantra of the age is “my truth” when the only truth that we should seek to understand is God’s truth.