Ungodly Ambition Confounded

Background Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9
Lesson Scripture: James 4:13-17; Proverbs 19:21;

Introduction

Without divine guidance and wisdom, human ambitions are likely to be prompted by wrong or inappropriate motives. Ambitions that pursue an occupation, accomplishment, or activity outside of the will of God will be under scrutiny in this lesson. Pursuing something that may be acceptable in itself but is coupled with an ungodly desire or method cannot be blessed by God. It is good and in scriptural order to be enthused about life and work. However, as we plan our activities and endeavor to make a living, it is important to keep our plans and ambitions subject to God’s will.

We really have little or no control of the final outcome of any endeavor, nor are we able with any certainty to secure the promise of success unless it is under the direction of God. He, as the Creator, has ultimate control, and all of our ambitions are to be as unto the Lord.

Key Verse

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God (2 Thess. 2:4).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Materialistic and misguided ambitions evidently were a problem already in the early church according to the warning from James. Truly, we do not know what tomorrow holds. This should constantly remind us to always make our plans subject to the phrase, “If the Lord will.” A conscious remembrance of how fragile and fleeting life is will help us maintain a proper mindset.

Boasting about one’s ambitions most certainly adds another dimension of error, and if the ambitions themselves are ungodly, the problem is compounded. It is but a small matter for God to confound any and all man-made plans at his discretion.

James also gives us some very specific teaching about having excessive or erroneous confidence in our plans. Living an aimless life without realistic goals is unwise, but ignoring God and his absolute control when making plans and setting goals sets the stage for disappointment and frustration.

Since early times people have sought to take control of their own destiny. In spite of living in pride and humanism, everyone still will inevitably come face to face with human mortality. No matter how hard one tries, we are not able by human effort to add to the average of four score years given to humans by God’s promise.

The same limitation is true concerning life’s activities and occupations. Sometimes one can pursue some ambition with mighty determination, but as humans we are limited. Regardless of how we try, our labor is in vain unless the Lord allows us to build the proverbial house. God can frustrate the best laid plans and ambitions at his will.

Another biblical example of an unsanctioned ambition is found in Genesis 11, where we find the story about the proposed tower of Babel. Because God was not pleased with their humanistic agenda, He confounded their ability to communicate with each other, and the project promptly came to naught.

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand” (Prov. 19:21). People can make all kinds of plans, but the end results are subject to God’s direction. Furthermore, Proverbs 16:26 states, “He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.” This implies that the common need for food normally constrains people to work, either to grow their own food or earn funds to purchase it. Even a blessing on these pursuits is necessary for life to proceed from the Lord.

The last part of the lesson text from the book of Numbers addresses the children of Israel’s unbelief after they had been disobedient to a former injunction of the Lord through Joshua and Caleb. They endeavored then to correct their error by aggressively asserting themselves by means of their own misguided ambition.

In Ezekiel 28 we find another case of God bringing incorrect ambitions into account. The prince of Tyrus was apparently successful in his earthly pursuits, but God was not pleased with his method and attitude.

The book of Esther gives us the story of Haman, who got caught up in an ambition that was ungodly. This is also an example of the lesson title in action. Instead of exalting Haman, the outcome proved to be disastrous.

Practical Truths for Today

An old story gives an account of a farmer who told his young hired man, “If the Lord will, tomorrow we will hitch one of the horses to the wagon and go to town for thus and thus.” Supposedly the ambitious hired man responded that if the Lord was not willing, they were going to hitch two horses to the wagon and go anyway. Evidently he was either jesting or else he did not understand that humans cannot override the will of God except by his allowance. Without a proper fear of God, mankind is apt to disregard God’s providential control. Many determine to pursue their ambitious ideas, openly disdaining God’s will.

Young people naturally tend to be more ambitious, and some people naturally possess more of an energetic personality. In the vitality of youth, some make lofty and materialistic plans for their life and what they hope to accomplish. On the other hand, there are people who struggle along who lack ambition and fail to apply themselves as they should. How can young folks temper their ambitions and avoid the error of having a conquest not blessed by God?

Many cases could be cited of an ambition prompted by an unholy, competitive drive, a strong desire to be ahead of one’s peer group or neighbors. Sometimes it appears like God allows this kind of behavior in some Christians; other times He does not and stops people in their tracks. Although God has the final word about the outcome of everything, sometimes, for reasons known only to Him, He allows ungodly human ambitions to prosper in certain circumstances. Psalm 73 is a testimony about the struggle of coming to grips with observing the prosperity and ease of life of the ungodly. It is good to remember the summary found in this psalm and remember that God does care what we pursue and how we do it.

Sometimes God uses fellow humans to point out another’s wrong ambitions, warning them of what will happen if they persist in following their erroneous plans. When that happens, we must make a choice. Sometimes we may forge ahead anyway, and God allows us to fail with our own ambitions. This is termed as a lesson at the school of hard knocks.

The Bible is filled with good, practical instruction even for our day and time. Haggai’s message of instruction to the people was that they should consider seriously what was happening because of their irresponsible and pernicious ways (Hag. 1:1-15). God’s people had put personal ambition ahead of building the Lord’s house, and He was not blessing their livelihoods. Their reasoning was flawed, and they were experiencing the negative effects. It appears that they might have been somewhat unaware that it was their own fault. We can sometimes be caught in a similar dilemma.

On the other hand, sometimes we have a Red Sea experience where God miraculously opens a new path before us, and we reap blessings beyond our expectations, far greater than we deserve. We learn that God has a better plan for us and that we need to trust Him and seek his direction above all else.

Today there is much concern about humanity’s poor stewardship that supposedly is destroying the planet. At least some of this cultural or political movement has the undertones of worshipping the creation more than the Creator. Surely, it is true however, that thoughtless and greedy human ambitions do have a destructive effect on the planet. How does a Christian maintain a proper attitude and practice Christian stewardship, remembering that the “earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof” (1 Cor. 10:28)? First Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” This indicates a proper regard for God’s created world.

Considering the aim of this lesson, Proverbs 16:25 leaves a clear warning to keep in mind as we dream, plan, and scheme about what we intend to do: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” This calls for careful and honest consideration of our ambitions and objectives to prove whether they can be blessed by the Lord.

Illustration

Consider a few of the many biblical passages that illustrate the blessings and advantages of holy and righteous ambitions and aspirations. These ambitions, based on right choices, are founded on scriptural principle.

“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men” (Prov. 22:29). This indicates that normally industrious people will be rewarded with better jobs and will end up working for good employers.

Proverbs 10:4 says that “the hand of the diligent maketh rich,” indicating that there is honorable gain to be experienced with proper ambition and due diligence.

First Thessalonians 4:11-12 says, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” These verses are an encouragement to appropriate ambitions, which usually results in the reward of having what we need (lacking nothing).

Solomon, in the beginning days of his rule, was blessed for his ambitions to be a wise king rather than pursuing great riches and lofty personal status (1 Kings 3:10-14).

Questions

1. How does Psalm 73 apply to this lesson?
2. Why does the Lord sometimes allow people to proceed in their ambitions that are certainly not in accord with his will?
3. What are some good ways to prove the quality of our ambitions?
4. To what extent should parents try to influence or direct the ambitions of their youth-age children?
5. What should youth do if they feel their parents are overbearing and controlling of their ambitions?
6. What is the right response of Christians when they see politicians promoting wickedness through ungodly ambitions?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).