In the intersection of the teachings of Jon Tyson (a disciple of Tim Keller) and John Cortines lies a profound invitation: to channel our drive into something sacred, and to let our resources flow outward in radical, joy‑filled generosity. When we merge Tyson’s insight on ambition with Cortines’s call to generous living, we discover a vision of Christian life that is far deeper than mere achievement or accumulation.
Tyson teaches that ambition itself is not inherently wrong – it is a gift from God – but it becomes dangerous when it is rooted in domination, recognition and self‑promotion. Instead, he urges us to “redeem our ambition,” re‑orienting it toward the kingdom of God, toward brokenness where beauty collides with suffering, toward radical action for the sake of others.
Meanwhile, Cortines invites believers to rethink wealth and giving. His journey from chasing financial security to embracing generosity led him to ask not, “How much should I give?” but rather, “How much should I keep?” He describes radical givers as shockingly happy because they see generosity not as obligation, duty or guilt, but as joyful freedom rooted in God’s generosity to them.
When we bring these two strands together, we see a powerful synergy: Ambition that is redeemed becomes a driving force for generosity. Rather than ambition being about personal gain, it becomes about mission and service. Rather than money being hoarded for security, it becomes fuel for the kingdom and for others’ flourishing.
Here are three ways this integrated vision might play out in life:
1. RE-ALIGNING OUR AMBITION
Instead of striving for personal status or success, we ask: What kingdom vision has God placed on my heart? What Kingdom need has God given me the eyes to see? How can my talents, desires and drive serve the flourishing of others
2. Re‑imagining our resources
Our wealth not as an asset for self‑protection or self‑advancement, but as a tool for blessing others. Generosity becomes the default, and keeping becomes the exception. We are not threatened by the call to be good stewards, but we welcome that call from a God who wants us to discover “the abundant life.”
3. Mobilizing ambition into action for others
Ambition and generosity join when the “what I want to do” becomes “what God wants to do through me, and through us.” We act not just for our benefit but for the broken, the weak, the overlooked. Because Tyson emphasizes radical action, and Cortines emphasizes radical generosity, together they call the church into a life of sacred ambition + open hands.
In short: ambition isn’t the enemy, and money isn’t the enemy. The enemy is ambition for self-glory, and money hoarded for self‑security. The gospel invites us to redeem ambition, redirect resources, and live in generosity that flows out of a heart shaped by God. Tyson gives us the framework of holy ambition. Cortines gives us the model of radical generosity. And together, they invite us into a life of pursuit with purpose, not just personal, but communal; not just for ourselves, but for the flourishing of the kingdom of God.
What are the desires of your heart that make up your Holy Ambition?
Beyond my personal desires to know and love Christ and to see my children and grandchildren do the same, my kingdom desires are twofold: to see the Global (big C) Church united in purpose and love, maturing into the likeness of Christ, and mobilized to fulfill the great commission. And secondly, to steward all that God has entrusted to me exactly as he wants and bring my friends with me. So, for me and my family, they intersect here: Steward all that God has entrusted to us to unite, mature, and mobilize the Global Church.
And that is my friends, why Sheree and I are so focused on funding the work of Equipping Leaders International. Will you join us?
