24 Bible Verses about Ambition, positive aspects of

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death;

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

For which I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Wherefore, seeing we also are encompassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

As new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found by him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said to him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thy enemies: but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there hath been none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like to thee.read more.
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like to thee all thy days, And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honor, nor the life of thy enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge are granted to thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.

But covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet I show to you a more excellent way.

This is a true saying, If a man desireth the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.

And so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of: for necessity is laid upon me; and woe is to me, if I preach not the gospel!

Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife; and some also from good will. The one preach Christ from contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other from love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.read more.
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

Know ye not, that they who run in a race, all run, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so I fight, not as one that beateth the air:read more.
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast-away.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me at that day: and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise.