Is it OK To Have Ambition As A Christian Artist? (3 Questions To Consider)

Is it OK to have ambition as a Christian artist?

For those of us in the creative spaces of kingdom building, having ambition can seem like an uncomfortable place to be.

Should we want to pursue success in glorifying God with our gifts, or does that fall into idolatry?
Should our ministry be something that we get paid for? Or should the mere pursuit of winning souls be enough?

Regardless of how you feel about Christians getting paid for their craft, one thing remains true: we should navigate these murky waters with much care and humility.

Because ambition, by itself, isn’t the enemy, selfish ambition is. The Bible never condemns drive, excellence, or the desire to grow. But it does warn us when our motives shift from serving God to serving ourselves. As Christian artists, we must constantly ask: are we building platforms to make Jesus known, or are we using Jesus to make ourselves known?

What does the Bible say about ambition?

There are two key passages in the New Testament where Paul discusses ambition—and each paints a very different picture.

The first, often quoted when discussing Christian artists and careers, is Philippians 2:3: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
The Greek word used here for “selfish ambition” is kenodoxia, which can be translated as empty glory.

In this portion of Philippians, Paul was encouraging the church to stand united in the face of adversity with humility as their posture.

In an era when Christians face opposition of many kinds, this is more relevant than ever. Because artists and creatives are in the business of making God’s name known, our art must flow from a heart anchored in Christ.

Is there a type of ambition that is safe to have?

Yes, and Paul also addresses this to the church at Corinth. 2 Corinthians 5:9 says, “Therefore we make it our aim (ambition), whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, rather good or bad.”
The short and long of this passage is that what we do here on earth has eternal consequences. We must all give account for the things that we do and don’t do.
Unlike ambition in the last scripture, this aim or ambition (depending on your translation), philotimeomai, means to be fond of honor or activated by love of honor. In this instance, for God’s honor. And this is the place of ambition where artists should be operating: not from a place of vanity or conceit, but from a constant seeking to glorify God’s name alone.

Should artists get paid for their work?

Compensation is another contentious issue in Christian entertainment.

In Luke 10, the Lord appoints 70 of his disciples to go forth and proclaim the good news, sending them out in pairs with nothing more than their clothes and shoes. In verse seven, he says, “and remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the labor is worth of his wages.”

The Messiah himself thought that his disciples should be compensated for traveling to preach the gospel, and save souls. How much more would He want creatives and artists to be compensated for investing in their talents, pursuing excellence, and producing music and other media that point a dark world back to Him?

It’s not about chasing a paycheck; it’s about recognizing that faithful labor is done for God’s glory.

Operate from a place of humility

The world has a saying, ‘follow your heart,” but the Bible tells us that our own desires can easily deceive our hearts.

Being in the spotlight, even for the glory of our Lord, can come with its share of snares if our heart posture is not where it should be. Recent events are clear reminders that even those who seem to be on a mission for God can be led astray by the flesh.

Do everything as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23) denotes a sense of pursuing success. Yet, as artists and creatives, we must ensure that our ambition comes only in pursuit of lifting the name of God, and not our own.

By pursuing God first, above all things, staying in a community that keeps you accountable, and putting on the whole armor of God, we ensure that we operate from a place of humility, not of the flesh.

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