9 Bible Verses about Ambition, Warnings Regarding

But you [are] not [to be] like this! But the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves.

And the tempter approached [and] said to him, "If you are the Son of God, order that these stones become bread." But he answered [and] said, "It is written, 'Man will not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God." Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the highest point of the templeread more.
and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down! For it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On [their] hands they will lift you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus said to him, "On the other hand it is written, 'You are not to put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, and he said to him, "I will give to you all these things, if you will fall down [and] worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Go away, Satan, for it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only him.'" Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and began ministering to him.

And an argument developed among them as to who of them might be greatest. But Jesus, [because he] knew the thoughts of their hearts, took hold of a child and had him stand beside him and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all--this one is great."

And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

For what will a person be benefited if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what will a person give in exchange for his life?

You desire and do not have; you murder and are filled with envy, and are not able to obtain; you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

And in his teaching he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like walking around in long robes and greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets, who devour the houses of widows and pray lengthy [prayers] for the sake of appearance. These will receive more severe condemnation!"

Woe to [him who] obtains profit [from] evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be saved from the hand of misfortune!

{How much less} the defiant; [the] arrogant, treacherous man? He who broadens his throat like Sheol, and who, like death, is not satisfied, and who gathers to himself all the nations, and harvested for himself all the peoples, will not succeed.