Ambition vs selfish ambition

Freedom · 05-24-2014, 11:08 AM

I would like to have a discussion on the subject of ambition as it pertains to the LC. In the LC, every time I hear the word "ambition" it is always used in an extremely negative context. However, the word ambition does necessarily have a negative connotation. Ambition can be a bad thing, and the Bible does speak out about selfish ambition.

What bothers me is that in the LC, taking any kind of initiative can be considered as ambitious. In life, taking initiative is necessary. If someone doesn't have intitiate, determination and a goal, they will never get anywhere. That is what it means to have ambition.

In my own life I have my interests and goals, I also have selfish interests and goals as well. I don't think for a minute that I can't be ambitious in a selfish way. The problem with the LC is that any ambition is discouraged and any kind of ambition is considered to be selfish. I think that the real reason for this is because they don't want anyone to rise up that can challenge their leadership.

The effect of the LC teaching is that everyone is afraid to take initiative. I can't even count the times I have heard brothers complain that the saints are too "passive". It makes me laugh because the reason for everyone being passive is so obvious. I would like to hear others thoughts on this. Obviously it's not a clear cut issue. There's a fine line between ambition and selfish ambition. I just feel that most of the time, ambition is not a bad thing, even then, we are only human.

05-24-2014, 11:08 AM	#1
Freedom Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 1,636	Ambition vs selfish ambition I would like to have a discussion on the subject of ambition as it pertains to the LC. In the LC, every time I hear the word "ambition" it is always used in an extremely negative context. However, the word ambition does necessarily have a negative connotation. Ambition can be a bad thing, and the Bible does speak out about selfish ambition. What bothers me is that in the LC, taking any kind of initiative can be considered as ambitious. In life, taking initiative is necessary. If someone doesn't have intitiate, determination and a goal, they will never get anywhere. That is what it means to have ambition. In my own life I have my interests and goals, I also have selfish interests and goals as well. I don't think for a minute that I can't be ambitious in a selfish way. The problem with the LC is that any ambition is discouraged and any kind of ambition is considered to be selfish. I think that the real reason for this is because they don't want anyone to rise up that can challenge their leadership. The effect of the LC teaching is that everyone is afraid to take initiative. I can't even count the times I have heard brothers complain that the saints are too "passive". It makes me laugh because the reason for everyone being passive is so obvious. I would like to hear others thoughts on this. Obviously it's not a clear cut issue. There's a fine line between ambition and selfish ambition. I just feel that most of the time, ambition is not a bad thing, even then, we are only human.