Long before I knew who said it, I instantly connected with George Mallory's ridiculously perfect retort to the question, “Why do you want to climb Mount Everest?”
“Because it’s there.”
The trailblazing mountaineer might as well have answered the question with a few of his own. “Are you kidding? Why wouldn’t I want to climb it? Have you seen that magnificent monster?” It’s not that I’ve ever been consumed with the desire to reach Earth’s apex myself, but I believe every man feels or has felt called to do big things. I like to call it “manbition;” but for years, I’ve wondered whether God approves.
Manbition Defined
A 2019 study on stereotypes published in American Psychologist found that women are typically viewed in the U.S. as equally competent but less ambitious than men. The term “manbition”, however, isn’t meant to reinforce such stereotypes. It simply gives name to the desire found within every man to do, achieve, fix, or become. It alludes to man’s natural disdain for the status quo, instinct to push harder or achieve more than what is expected or required of him, or drive to fulfill a strenuous calling that may never be appreciated by anyone other than himself.
That last point is an important one. We all value different things, and not everyone will appreciate the goals in which you’ve invested so much time, money, sweat, or energy to reach. Some guys won’t admire your job promotion, deck construction, or marathon completion any more than you do their relentless devotion to Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. So, we needn’t poll popular opinion before pursuing our manbition. We should, however, desire God’s approval and blessing.
Every Man?
Okay. Not every man exhibits manbition. However, I’ve yet to meet the man who has never felt driven to or by something. Even the laziest, most apathetic, or harmoniously content among us has at least faint memories of when they were motivated to achieve something. Some already reached all of their goals and have since retired to a more “go with the flow” approach to life. Others have been so beaten down by failure, criticism, or doubt (from self and others) that they’ve surrendered to the path of least resistance. For them, the memory of manbition comes riddled with pain best forgotten.
If nothing else, let’s agree that men have certain perceived needs - whatever they may be. Whether referring to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1934), claims from Willard F. Harley’s "His Needs, Her Needs" (1986), or specific motivations that help frame the Enneagram of Personality, our needs do and, in fact, should fuel our ambition.
A fundamental need may be survival.
If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. - 2 Thessalonians 3:10
Even admiration and esteem are considered basic needs by many.
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. -Proverbs 22:1
Still, the question remains. What if I’m ambitious for more than man’s most basic needs?
Bigger and Better
Shortly after God reset humanity via a worldwide flood, men had what seemed to be an architectural breakthrough.
(Some dudes said) “...let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. - Genesis 11:3
This is some Bob Villa manliness recorded here. Once men learned how to properly build and lay bricks, they were destined to build something bigger and better. The sky was the limit… literally.
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves....” - Genesis 11:4
I know what you’re thinking. That whole “make a name for ourselves” is the red flag. Right? Tap the brakes, Sir Judgealot. Don’t you think your favorite athlete, musician, movie star, politician and entrepreneur had similar aspirations? Did they accidentally “make a name” for themselves? Manbition often includes the same desires as seen in these ancient men, but guess what. God was not a fan.
But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language, they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” - Genesis 11:5-6
God went on to disrupt the building of the tower and the city by making the people speak different languages so that they couldn’t understand each other and, eventually, scattered them all over the earth.
This story bothers me for a handful of reasons. On the surface, it makes God seem threatened by man’s potential. That is not the all-powerful God portrayed elsewhere in scripture. I’m also bummed that the builders don’t seem to be monsters. I mean it’d be a lot easier to swallow if these guys were cursing God while waving their fists at Him (à la Lieutenant Dan facing the storm in Forrest Gump). No. These guys were just trying to get ahead and leave their mark… like so many other ambitious men.
The failed Tower of Babel isn’t the only biblical writing that has made me question my own manbition. Do calls to “be content'' (Hebrews 13:5) mean it’s wrong to seek more from life? Should we avoid all efforts that may lead to popularity (James 4:4) and, God forbid, wealth (Matthew 19:24)? Is the call to humble ourselves (1 Peter 5:6) ultimately a call to be small, unimportant, and unaccomplished? Is it manbition that leads a man to inherit the world while losing his soul (Luke 9:25)?
These kinds of questions have led me to cancel meetings, delete projects, change courses, acquire refunds, halt training, end pursuits, and snuff out my own dreams on multiple occasions.
The Other End
Before finding a dividing line between acceptable and unacceptable manbition, let’s recognize the extreme opposite end of the spectrum. It’s a place called, “Meh!”, and it’s pronounced with a blank stare and shrugged shoulders.
As I mentioned earlier, some men have lost their ambition for a number of reasons. Since then, staying idle has become their idol. However, nowhere does God celebrate laziness, apathy, or halfhearted devotion (Meh!).
Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house. -Ecclesiastes 10:18
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. – Revelation 3:16-17
Maybe we aren’t lazy, but we’re swallowing our manbition in the name of playing it safe. Meanwhile, good stewardship means having the courage and ambition to use the gifts/talents that God has given us.
‘I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours. ’But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! - Matthew 25:25-26
Early Conclusion
Ultimately, the question of whether God approves of our manbition depends on WHAT we are ambitious for and HOW we pursue it. This early conclusion is dependent on two truths.
1) We can be ambitious for the wrong things.
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. - 1 John 2:16 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. - 1 Timothy 6:9
2) We can be ambitious for the right things but pursue them the wrong way.
You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. - James 4:2. For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:32-33
Even men of God tend to learn these truths the hard way, forget them from time-to-time, and have to wrestle with God before finding their way. Such was the life of Jacob.
Born Manbitious
Jacob was ambitious before he was even born. Genesis 25 recounts how he and his twin brother Esau struggled with each other (some translations say “wrestled”) even within their mother’s womb. And when Esau was born first, Jacob was holding on firmly to his heel, as if to say, ‘Whoa, don’t you dare get ahead of me.’
As the older son, even if only a few minutes older, Esau stood in line to inherit certain blessings and privileges Jacob would never enjoy without the knock of opportunity. As a manbitious opportunist, Jacob was ready for such a knock.
Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” - Genesis 25:29-31
As an outsider looking in, I want to say, “Dude, he’s your brother.” Then, I’m like, ‘oh yeah, he’s your brother.’ I start remembering all of the bets, trades, and negotiations I used to make with my brother.
“Can my friends and I play Sega in your room?” “Sure, if you do my chores all week.” “What do you want for Park Place?” “You can have it… for North Carolina, Pacific, and Pennsylvania Avenue. Oh, and all of your railroads.” (He was ruthless.)
Perhaps a good brother would have fed Esau for no other reasons than he was hungry, and brothers should help each other. Instead, Jacob took advantage of Esau’s moment of weakness to get ahead and acquire what he had always wanted.
Interestingly, “The Red Stew Incident” (not to be confused with “The Spaghetti Incident”) earned Jacob his brother’s resentment, but no clear scolding or condemnation from God or the rest of the family. In fact, the boys’ mom was president of the Jacob fan club and eventually cooked up another way for her favorite son to once again obtain what was intended for his brother.
When the boys’ father (Isaac) was old and blind, Jacob and his mother tricked him into giving Jacob the blessing Isaac had intended for the older Esau. Even if we excuse his earlier birthright negotiation as Jacob simply cashing in on a golden opportunity, this was something quite different. This was blatant, sinful deceit. Jacob and his mother lied to Isaac at the expense of Esau.
If Jacob got away with this one the way he had with the ‘my stew for your birthright’ trade, we would probably walk away from his story with wrong ideas about God’s justice and man’s ambition. However, this was one offense too many for Esau, and he was out for blood. Jacob would soon flee his homeland for Haran. There, he would meet and eventually marry the woman he loved, but only after being tricked by her manbitious father into also marrying her sister and working for him for 14 years. Getting stuck with an extra wife you never wanted and a (use your imagination) for a father-in-law; Hindus would call this Karma, whereas Christians know we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).
Jacob went on to raise a large family with his two wives and even larger herds and flocks for the liar-in-law he had been tricked into serving. BTW - his name was Laben; and when the time came for Jacob to leave with his wives, kids, and servants, he and Laben would face off one more time to see who would keep the most and best livestock. Both men tried to secretly hedge their bets. When it was time to proclaim a winner, for better or worse, Jacob was the more manbitious of the two.
If you’re keeping score, you know that Jacob has taken a couple of painful hits. However, for the most part, God has blessed him with a huge family, staff, and plenty of possessions. It seems like Jacob is constantly scheming how to better his situation, and God keeps rewarding him.
We should pause here to acknowledge Jacob’s unique role in God’s bigger strategy. He and his many children were a crucial step in actualizing God’s promise to Jacob’s grandfather, Abraham. More importantly, their lineage would eventually fulfill God's plan for the world through the introduction of Jesus. So, the question is whether God actually blessed Jacob’s manbition or simply tolerated it… giving him a pass while letting Jacob’s own efforts pay off. Regardless, the boldness of Jacob’s manbition would soon reach an all-time high and ultimately end with the end of Jacob.
Jacob Meets His Match
Genesis 31 ends with Jacob departing from Laben unscathed. On God’s order, Jacob would now travel back to his homeland with his now gigantic family, tons of servants, and plenty of livestock. The problem was they would have to pass through Edom, where he was sure to encounter Esau. The last time the brothers were together, Esau had vowed to kill Jacob for stealing their father’s blessing.
Seeing the pattern, one might speculate what devious trickery Jacob would employ to maneuver his way out of this one. However, to our surprise, Jacob responded with fear and humility.
“O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children.” -Genesis 32:9-11
Along with this heartfelt prayer, Jacob sent a caravan of gifts to his brother in advance. Still, there was no deception… no hidden agenda. He was clearly desperate for God’s grace and Esau’s mercy. It’s almost like Jacob knew his years of selfish manbition had only paid off through a mixture of luck and blessings, both of which would soon surely run out.
Jacob’s change of heart seems refreshing, but will it last? His story needs to crescendo with a moment of clarity that will either cement his newfound humility or return him once and for all to the man who masters in selfish ambition. That moment comes in Genesis 32 when a man showed up (presumably from God). Hosea 12:4 later clarified that it was an angel. However, unlike other scriptural accounts, this representative of heaven wasn’t visiting to herald some precious declaration (not yet anyway). He was there to wrestle!
“And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” - Genesis 32:24-26
So many questions! Why is this angel wrestling with Jacob? Why can’t he defeat him or even get away, but he can dislocate his hip by merely touching it? And does Jacob’s manbition have no limits? Does he really think he can seize God’s blessing by force?
Here’s the perfect opportunity for God to emphatically declare His position not only on Jacob’s ambition but on manbition as a whole. Would God by proxy grant Jacob the blessing he craved so desperately? The answer was a resounding YES!
Not only did Jacob receive the blessing, he received a new name - Israel. The name Jacob means holder of the heel (check 🗹) . Jacob also means deceiver; (double 🗹🗹). Israel, however, marked a pivot point in his life.
(The angel said) “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” - Genesis 32:28
A misguided heart may have accepted his new name while also patting himself on the back (“That’s right, I prevailed; I’m the man”). However, Jacob realized how unworthy he was, and that his successes in life were only by God’s grace.
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. - Genesis 32:30-31
Picture the tattered Israel limping into the sunset a changed man. He’s off to face his brother in a way Esau had never seen him before… humbled.
Lessons Learned
Jacob’s isn’t the most fulfilling story of justice. That’s because we think we want good things to only happen to good people. Meanwhile, we have all experienced good gifts from God (James 1:17) while being far from worthy (Romans 3:10-12; 5:8). The truth is we can find some earthly success without God. It’s possible to get ahead by the world’s standard on nothing more than our own intuition, our selfish ambition, the most conveniently flawed moral code, and the right amount of luck. However, those successes often come with a sense of borrowed time and a need to continuously look over our shoulders in fear that our luck will run out or our pasts may catch up with us… and they will.
Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin. How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors! - Psalm 73:18-19
Meanwhile, manbition blessed by God is well-insured. So, not only is your likelihood for success better (Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:31), but you can also lay your head down at night without fear, shame or regret (Philippians 4:6-7). That’s because Godly manbition pursues His glory above all else and keeps Him close as a manbition consultant and trusted travel companion.
Manbitious for God
God’s many warnings against wealth, popularity, and worldly desires are not condemnations against success or ambition. They are warnings about priorities.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth..., but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21
“Store up” doesn't mean passively hiding whatever treasures just happen to fall in your lap. No. God wants us to use the ability and drive that He has put in every man. GOD WANTS US TO BE MANBITIOUS FOR HIM AND HIS GLORY!
Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. - Luke 13:24
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:13-14
But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. - 1 Corinthians 12:31 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. - Matthew 5:6
Not manbitious enough for you? Read God’s rapid-fire, ambitious charge for believers in Romans 12:9-21.
Final Thought
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17 ...do it all for the glory of God. - 1 Corinthians 10:31
God’s call to be manbitious for Him is not some type of spiritual aptitude test or placement program. Unless we’re deliberately chasing sin or surrounding ourselves with flagrant immorality, we probably don’t have to quit our jobs or cancel our dreams. On the contrary, being in the world but not of the world (John 27:16-18) while letting our light shine (Matthew 5:16) means being manbitious for God with and around real people in our daily lives. It means pursuing what is good in this world (yes, some things are good) with Godly manbition. So, by all means, have the meeting, train for that marathon, complete the project, build that deck, and climb your mountain, but do it with God’s blessing and for His glory.