Can a Christian missional enterprise leader be ambitious and content at the same time? Can we be both content with what we have, and ambitious for something more?

In other words, are contentment and ambition rivals or friends?

In recent M3 Weekly articles, we’ve explored the topic of ambition (“Ambitions Is Not A Dirty Word,” “Biblical Ambition,” and “Ambition Safety-Check”). We observed that, when it comes to the Kingdom and following Christ closely, we are to be fully committed and ambitious. We also know from the scriptures that “godliness with contentment is great gain”1 So, godly ambition and contentment are both to be desired and pursued. But how?

To understand how these two qualities can live as friends, it may help to begin with a definition of biblical contentment. While the dictionary defines contentment as merely “satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation,” the biblical description goes much deeper.

Puritan pastor Jeremiah Burroughs wrote a book in 1648 entitled The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment. In his book Burroughs defines Christian contentment in the following way:

“Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”

The dictionary definition seems to say that the basis for contentment is mostly circumstantial. If things are going well then one can be content. Burroughs tells us that Christian contentment is about faith – seeing and believing that God is in control, that he cares for me and loves me despite the sometimes hard circumstances.

The Contently Ambitious Apostle

It helps to observe the example of the Apostle Paul. Read what Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison:

Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Paul learned to be “content in any and every situation.” Out of that contentment came confidence (and ambition) that he could do everything God gave him to do.

Pastor Alistair Begg makes this incisive point about Christian contentment to explain how contentment and ambition coexist happily in Paul:

“Christian contentment is grounded in our union with Jesus. It is a relationship with Jesus which establishes the basis for Christian contentment. In other words, Philippians 3:10 precedes Philippians 4:13. Paul says in 3:10, ‘I want to know Christ,’ and in 4:13 he says, ‘I can do everything through Christ.’ But first I want to know Christ, and in knowing Him, then I will be able to do everything through him.”

Paul clearly demonstrates this principle clearly in the final words of the book of Acts:

Acts 28:30-31 (NIV)  For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul is in Rome under house arrest, awaiting a trial and an appearance before Cesar. He is probably guarded closely all the time by Roman soldiers, and yet all the while he is ministering, serving others, and speaking on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ. Contentment and holy ambition are living happily together.

Our contentment is built not on circumstances but on the foundation of our relationship with Christ and our identity in Him. Since our ambition for God comes from the same source, they can live together as friends, not rivals.

Verse(s) of the Week:

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)

May God grant us grace to rest contentedly in our identity in Him, and experience the great gain that comes from that.