Bible Verses About Ambition

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth.

Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

And Ephraim said, Yet I am become rich, I have found me out substance: in all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sin.

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.

And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: