Approval of God: The Ambition Framework for every marketplace believer

APPROVAL OF GOD should be the burning ambition of every believer to please God. It Is the power to Divine Alignment that would start a journey of unfathomable blessings within the Kingdom realm.

In the introduction to the AMBITION Framework, I presented eight principles that can help every believer thrive in the marketplace. Although I have not yet mastered them, I believe God placed this mnemonic, written by Dr S. Y. Govender, in my path as a practical guide for growing into my inheritance to rule and reign.

 

Approval of God is the first ambition principle of a Marketplace Believer

“It must be the ambition of every Christian to please God (obtain God's approval or favour).” Dr. S.Y. Govender.

 

In a world obsessed with visibility, applause, and achievement, the Kingdom calls us to a different pursuit — the smile of God. His approval is not earned through performance, but through obedience and alignment. And obedience and alignment are revealed through the marks of a true disciple.

 

Below are the seven pathways Scripture gives us for living a life that pleases Him—not theoretically, but practically, in the marketplace, in leadership, and in daily life.

1. DEATH TO SELF — The Foundation of Approval

Jesus made it unmistakably clear:

“Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

To “take up the cross” was not poetic language. In Jesus’ day, anyone carrying a cross was already sentenced to death. This is the picture of discipleship: death to self-will, self-rule, self-preservation, and self-actualization.

Jesus Himself modelled it:

“Nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Approval begins where self ends.

Marketplace Reflection

Before every decision, ask:

• Is this my will or His?
• Am I choosing comfort or obedience?
• Am I protecting myself or advancing His purpose?

 

2. IMITATING JESUS — The Pattern of Approval

Discipleship is not admiration; it is imitation.

“Christ… leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.” (1 Peter 2:21)

Jesus sets the standard:

“Be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Perfection here means maturity, wholeness, and alignment.

 

Marketplace Reflection

Ask:

• Am I responding like Jesus?
• Am I leading like Jesus?
• Am I loving like Jesus?

 

3. SERVANTHOOD — The Posture of Approval

Jesus washed feet—the lowest task in the household.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet… you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

Servanthood is not weakness; it is Kingdom greatness. It reveals the matter of the heart. 

 

Marketplace Reflection

• Serve without expecting recognition.
• Lead without entitlement.
• Influence without superiority.

 

4. COMPLIANCE — The Response of Approval

When Jesus called the disciples, Scripture says:

“They immediately left their nets and followed Him.” (Matthew 4:20)

Immediate obedience is the mark of a heart that pleases God.

Again:

“The disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them.” (Matthew 21:6)

 

Marketplace Reflection

Delayed obedience is disobedience. Ask:

• Where have I hesitated?
• Where have I negotiated instead of obeyed?

 

5. INDWELLING WORD — The Diet of Approval

Jesus said:

“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)

Crowds followed Jesus when miracles were visible. But when He taught deeper truth:

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.” (John 6:66)

The Word is not entertainment—it is sustenance.

“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me.” (John 6:56)

Eating His flesh = internalizing His Word.

 

Marketplace Reflection

• Feed on Scripture daily.
• Let the Word shape decisions, not emotions.
• Build your business on biblical principles, not trends.

 

6. PRODUCTIVITY — The Evidence of Approval

Jesus said:

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” (John 15:8)

Fruit is not optional—it is proof.

And the greatest fruit?

“Go therefore and make disciples…” (Matthew 28:19)

A disciple makes disciples.

 

Marketplace Reflection

Your productivity is not measured only in profit, but in:

• transformed lives
• Kingdom influence
• spiritual multiplication

 

7. LOVE FOR OTHER DISCIPLES — The Witness of Approval

Jesus raises the standard:

“Love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

This is sacrificial love.

“He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” (1 John 3:16)

Love is the badge of discipleship.

 

Marketplace Reflection

• Protect unity.
• Honor other believers.
• Lay down ego, offense, and competition.

 

8. EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION — The Offering of Approval

Jesus demands first place:

“Whoever does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33)

And:

“Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more…” (Luke 14:26 TLB)

This is the burnt offering—wholly consumed.

Paul echoes it:

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice…” (Romans 12:1)

 

Marketplace Reflection

• Jesus above career.
• Jesus above comfort.
• Jesus above relationships.
• Jesus above self.

 

Esther: A Marketplace Picture of Divine Approval

Esther’s life is a prophetic mirror for marketplace believers.

• She obeyed Mordecai without hesitation. Her spiritual father she knew and trusted.
• On his command, she hid her identity until the right moment.
• She submitted to preparation.
• She followed instructions precisely.
• She positioned herself for purpose, and not promotion. She waited for the right time and opportunity to present her case.

She sought the king’s approval—but God positioned her for deliverance.

How much more should we seek God’s approval, knowing His plans far exceed our own?

 

Marketplace Application: Approval in Daily Decisions

To seek God’s approval in the marketplace:

1. Make decisions based on assignment, not anxiety.

Fear-based decisions never please God.

2. Ask: “Does this deal, partnership, or opportunity please God?”

If it compromises integrity, unity, or obedience—it’s not from Him.

3. Big thinkers don’t chase everything—they chase what aligns.

Approval is found in alignment, and not in activity.

 

Final Reflection

The approval of God is not mystical. It is revealed in the life of a disciple—one who:

• dies to self
• imitates Jesus
• serves
• obeys
• abides
• bears fruit
• loves deeply
• devotes exclusively

 

This is the ambition of the marketplace believer and the path to divine favour. This is the life that pleases God.

Esther: A  picture of a person whose ambition was to please her spiritual father.

Key Themes:

· Obedience. Her obedience led her into the king's chamber. she didn't chase her own agenda. 

· Submission: She not only submitted to her spiritual father and the house of the king but she submitted to the Lord, fasting and praying for the right posture and timing. 

· Hidden identity. In a time where everyone must know everything, it is wise to keep important information hidden. the one moment it could cost you and the next moment it can become a life changer. 

· Strategic positioning is vital in the marketplace. When you are visible to the right people doors open for you. 

· Assignment over ambition: it is always God's will that directs and aligns. When we keep that our focus the results speaks for itself. 

 

Summary: Esther sought the king’s approval, but God positioned her for deliverance. Her life shows the power of obedience, preparation, and alignment—qualities every marketplace believer must cultivate.

The next blog post we will look at the second principle: 

MANIFEST THE VICTORY OF CHRIST → The Power of Identity

Grace and peace to you. 

AMBITION OF THE CHRISTIAN IN THE MARKET PLACE

 

Having ambition in life is always a good thing. It challenges you to reach for the unthinkable when everyone else thinks it’s not possible.

Yet, we can mention numerous men and women who have achieved the impossible by following their heart's desire or ambition to the fullest, and today we, in many instances, can enjoy the labour of those ambitions.

 But for a believer, ambition must be seen as a holy act to please the Heavenly Father above all else. When we do that, our earthly ambitions align with the Father’s, and we accomplish so much more with that specific grace. Because our focus is centred on Christ, everything else shifts as well. Whether your ambition is to have a family of your own, own a property or start a business, become a doctor or fireman, when we give it to God, he makes it beyond what we can imagine.

 The apostle Paul is a good example for us to study because Paul had achieved his ambition. He was a Pharisee, an elite group of religious Jews. He had confidence in the flesh (Phil. 3:4), but there came a time when he said, "But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord," (Phil. 3:8).

INTRODUCTION: WHAT DOES A BELIEVER’S AMBITION LOOK LIKE IN THE MARKETPLACE?

Every person who steps into the marketplace carries invisible ambitions. Some chase influence. Some chase financial security. Some chase recognition. Some chase power and control. But Scripture calls the believer to a higher pursuit—one that redefines success, reshapes identity, and recalibrates purpose:

“It must be the ambition of every Christian to please God (obtain God's approval or favour).”

DR S.Y. Govender.

This is not a suggestion. It is the foundation of discipleship.
In a world where applause is loud and pressure is constant; the disciple learns to tune their ear to an unfamiliar voice—the voice of the Father. His approval becomes the compass that becomes your diadem in every business you enter into. His pleasure becomes the reward. His will becomes the assignment.

And pleasing God is not mysterious. Scripture gives us a clear, practical pathway—a set of marks that reveal whether our ambition is aligned with Heaven or entangled with self.
These marks are not theoretical. They are lived. They are visible. They are measurable. And they are deeply relevant for believers who operate in business, leadership, entrepreneurship, governance, or any sphere of influence.

Therefore, it is important to understand Godly ambitions and what we should do to obtain them, and the practical ways a disciple demonstrates them.

THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE WHO PLEASES GOD

Each principle is drawn directly from Scripture, forming a complete framework for understanding how a believer’s ambition should look like for a disciple.

1. DEATH TO SELF — The Foundation of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            · Luke 14:27–28

            · Matthew 16:24

            · Luke 22:42

Summary: Taking up the cross is a metaphor for dying to self-will. Jesus modelled this when He prayed, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” Approval begins where self ends.

2. IMITATING JESUS — The Pattern of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            ·  1 Peter 2:21

            · Matthew 5:48

Summary: Discipleship is not admiration—it is imitation. We follow His steps, His character, His compassion, His obedience.

3. SERVANTHOOD — The Posture of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            ·   John 13:13–17

Summary: Jesus washed feet. He showed that greatness in the Kingdom is measured by service, not status.

4. COMPLIANCE — The Response of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            ·  Matthew 4:19–20

            ·  Matthew 21:5–6

Summary: The disciples obeyed immediately. Compliance reveals trust, surrender, and alignment with God’s will.

5. INDWELLING WORD — The Diet of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            · John 8:31

            · John 6:56

            · John 6:66

Summary: Abiding in the Word is the mark of a true disciple. Many followed Jesus for miracles but deserted Him when the Word demanded depth.

6. PRODUCTIVITY — The Evidence of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            · John 15:8

            · Matthew 28:19

Summary: Fruitfulness glorifies God. The greatest fruit is making disciples—multiplying what Christ has formed in us.

7. LOVE FOR OTHER DISCIPLES — The Witness of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            ·  John 13:34–35

            ·  1 John 3:16

Summary: Jesus raises the standard: love one another as He loved us—sacrificially, selflessly, completely.

8. EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION — The Offering of Discipleship

Key Scriptures:

            · Luke 14:33

            · Luke 14:26 (TLB)

            · Romans 12:1

Summary: A disciple loves Jesus above possessions, relationships, and even their own life. This is the burnt offering—wholly given.

 

Marketplace Application: How to Seek Godly Ambition in Daily Decisions

            · Make decisions based on assignment, not anxiety. Fear-based choices never please God.

            ·  Ask: “Does this deal, partnership, or opportunity magnify God’s purpose for me?” If it compromises obedience, integrity, or unity—it’s not from Him.

            ·  Kingdom thinkers don’t chase everything—they chase what aligns. Ambition is found in alignment, and not activity.

THE MARKETPLACE MINISTER’S AMBITION TOOLKIT

A Kingdom ambition and big-thinking guide for believers in business, leadership, and influence

The Core Premise: Kingdom Ambition is Godly Thinking. Not to think like the World but as God thinks. A global reach that surpasses borders.

Kingdom Ambition defines the believer’s pursuit:

Success is not determined by intelligence, background, or luck—but by the knowledge of the word and practising doctrine daily.

Together, they form a single truth:

Kingdom ambition sets your direction. Wisdom sets your altitude.

This toolkit helps believers think at Kingdom scale while acting with biblical integrity.

The AMBITION Framework (Biblical Foundation)

There are seven principles that we will look at.

They are:

            · Approval of God

            ·  Manifest the victory of Christ

            · Bear fruit

            · Imitate Jesus

            · Tame the tongue

            · Inhabit the secret place

            · Oracle of God

            · Nurture the Body of Christ

Each ambition is a marketplace principle which will be looked at individually in the next few blog posts.

I trust that this short series will help you in your ambition and give you a clear direction which way to follow.

Grace and peace to you. 

ISAIAH 66:19–24 — The Global Glory and Eternal Endurance

“I will set a sign among them, and I will send some of those who survive to the nations… They will proclaim My glory among the nations.”

— Isaiah 66:19

This is the apostolic sending of the remnant — those refined by fire, comforted by grace, and now commissioned by glory.

God says:

• “I will set a sign.”
• “I will send survivors.”
• “They will proclaim My glory.”

This is not survival for survival’s sake — it’s survival for assignment.

The Nations and the Glory

Isaiah lists nations: Tarshish, Libya, Lydia, Tubal, Greece, and distant islands, each representing the ends of the earth.

These are not random names; they symbolize every sphere of influence: business, government, education, media, and culture.

The trembling ones become:

• Messengers of glory
• Carriers of covenant
• Voices of restoration
• Priests in the marketplace

“They will bring all your people from all nations to My holy mountain… in clean vessels.”
— Isaiah 66:20

This is an image of holy transport; people carrying others into God’s presence through purity, excellence, and worship.

Priests and Levites in Unlikely Places

“And I will select some of them also to be priests and Levites.”
— Isaiah 66:21

This is radical.
God is saying: “I will raise priests outside the temple.”

Marketplace believers become:

• Priests in boardrooms
• Levites in classrooms
• Worshippers in studios
• Prophets in policy rooms

The sacred and the secular merge under one banner — His glory among the nations.

  The Eternal Promise

“As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before Me, so will your name and descendants endure.”
— Isaiah 66:22

This is the Revelation 21 connection — the new creation, the eternal city, the enduring name.

Revelation 21 echoes this:

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… and the dwelling of God is with men.”
— Revelation 21:1–3

Isaiah and Revelation meet here — the prophetic promise fulfilled in eternal presence.

 

DECLARATION: I Am a Sign and a Sending

Speak this aloud:

“Father, I am a sign among the nations.
You have refined me by fire, comforted me by grace, and commissioned me by glory.
I carry Your presence into every sphere of influence.
I am a priest in the marketplace, a Levite in leadership, a messenger of Your fame.
As You make new heavens and a new earth, my name, and descendants will endure.
I proclaim Your glory among the nations.
I am part of the Revelation 21 promise — dwelling with You forever.”

Case Study: The CEO Who Was Marked by Fire

Background

Sipho is a CEO known for his integrity and prophetic alignment. He leads with prayer, justice, and boldness. His company is flourishing — but he faces pressure from competitors who use unethical tactics.

The Situation

A rival company attempts to sabotage Sipho’s brand.
They spread false rumours.
They manipulate contracts.
They mock his faith.

But Sipho stands firm.
He declares Isaiah 66:14–15 over his business.

The Outcome

Within weeks:

• The rival company is exposed for fraud
• Sipho’s brand is publicly vindicated
• His team flourishes
• His leadership is recognized nationally
• His prophetic stance becomes a testimony.

The hand of the Lord is made known in the situation.
The fury of the Lord confronts the opposition.
The fire of God distinguishes the righteous.

DECLARATION: I am Marked by Fire and Flourishing

Speak this aloud:

“Lord, I rejoice in Your comfort and stand in Your fire.
Let Your hand be made known in my life.
Let Your fire distinguish me from compromise.
I will flourish like grass.
I will rejoice in Your justice.
I will not fear the whirlwind. I am aligned with Your Word.
Mark me with Your favour.
Refine me with Your fire.
Reveal me as Your servant.”

Psalm 16: Building Legacy Through Property Ownership

 

“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” – Psalm 16:6

Property ownership has always been more than bricks and mortar. In Psalm 16, David speaks about boundary lines, inheritance, and pleasant places—language that resonates deeply with the idea of land, security, and legacy. When viewed through a biblical lens, owning property becomes a powerful act of stewardship and long‑term vision.

Boundary Lines: The Gift of God‑Given Space

Psalm 16 reminds us that boundaries are not limitations—they are blessings. In biblical times, boundary lines defined inheritance, family identity, and generational continuity. Today, property ownership reflects the same principle: a defined space where purpose can flourish.

Owning property establishes stability. It provides a physical place where families grow, values are shaped, and futures are anchored. When the Psalmist speaks of “pleasant places,” it speaks to more than location—it speaks to peace of mind, provision, and divine alignment.

Property as Inheritance, Not Just an Investment

The word inheritance in Psalm 16 points to something passed down, something that outlives the present moment. While property is often discussed in terms of return on investment, Scripture invites us to think beyond profit and toward legacy.

Property ownership allows you to:

• Create generational wealth
• Provide security for your family
• Leave a tangible legacy for future generations
• Build something that serves others long after you are gone

In this way, buying property is not only a financial decision—it is a spiritual one rooted in foresight and responsibility.

Stewardship: Managing What Has Been Entrusted

Biblical stewardship is about managing God’s gifts wisely. Land and property have always been central to God’s covenant promises, symbolising provision, rest, and belonging. When we steward property well, we honour that trust.

A well‑managed home becomes:

• A place of refuge
• A platform for hospitality
• A foundation for community
• A testimony of faith in action

Psalm 16 encourages contentment and confidence, reminding us that what God allocates is purposeful and sufficient.

Pleasant Places: Building More Than Houses

I believe property should reflect pleasant places—spaces where families thrive, dreams take shape, and faith is lived out daily. A home is not only where you live; it is where life happens.

Whether it’s your first home, an investment property, or a long‑term family asset, property ownership becomes part of your story. It shapes your present and speaks into your future.

A Legacy Worth Leaving

Psalm 16 closes with joy, security, and hope—qualities that every homeowner desires. When you build with a legacy in mind, you’re not just acquiring land; you’re establishing purpose.

Property ownership, when guided by wisdom and faith, becomes a declaration:

• That you believe in tomorrow
• That you are building for generations
• That your boundary lines are intentionally placed

Your inheritance can start today—one wise decision at a time.

The Joy of the Servants and the Fury of the Lord

 

“When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to His servants, but His fury will be shown to His foes.” — Isaiah 66:14

This is a moment of divine distinction.

God is saying:

• “My servants will rejoice.”
• “My servants will flourish.”
• “My hand will be visible.”
• “But My fury will confront My enemies.”

This is not just comfort — it is clarity.

The Fire of the Lord

“See, the Lord is coming with fire, and His chariots are like a whirlwind;
He will bring down His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire.”
— Isaiah 66:15

This is not a poetic metaphor.
This is prophetic reality.

God is coming:

• With fire
• With a whirlwind
• With fury
• With rebuke
• With flames

This is the refining fire — not to destroy, but to distinguish.

The Marketplace Implication

In the marketplace, this passage speaks to:

• The visibility of God’s hand on righteous leaders
• The exposure of corruption and compromise
• The flourishing of those who tremble at His Word
• The confrontation of systems that oppose His ways

God is not passive.
He is present.
He is active.
He is drawing a line.

DECLARATION: I am marked by Fire and Flourishing

Speak this aloud:

“Lord, I rejoice in Your comfort and stand in Your fire.
Let Your hand be made known in my life.
Let Your fire distinguish me from compromise.
I will flourish like grass.
I will rejoice in Your justice.
I will not fear the whirlwind. I am aligned with Your Word.
Mark me with Your favour.
Refine me with Your fire.
Reveal me as Your servant.”

CASE STUDY: The Consultant Who Was Mocked for Integrity

 

Background

Thabo is a project manager known for his integrity and his refusal to compromise. His colleagues often mock him for being “too Christian,” “too honest,” or “too serious about Scripture.”

They say things like:

• “Let’s see if your God helps you now.”
• “Let the Lord be glorified — show us your joy.”

It’s the same spirit that mocked Jesus.

The Situation

Thabo refuses to approve a fraudulent invoice.
His team mocks him.
His supervisor pressures him.
He is excluded from meetings.
He is ridiculed for “trembling at the Word.”

But Thabo remembers:

• Isaiah 66:5–6
• The mockery of Christ
• The vindication of the righteous

He stands firm.

The Outcome

An internal audit exposed corruption in the department.
Thabo’s integrity protected the company from legal consequences.
His supervisor was removed.
Thabo is promoted to lead the department.

The sound of justice is heard.
The trembling one is vindicated.
The mockers are silenced.

Thabo becomes a voice that draws people toward Christ, not by preaching, but by standing.