How Do You Define Success?

 How Do You Define Success?

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:15-17

Focus Verse: 1 John 2:15 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

Many people (even some so-called Christians) who love the world, will define their success by their achievements and possessions.  Verse 17 says “this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.”  Jesus said, “be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.  The prosperity gospel is preached in many parts of the world which leads people to desire things of this world more than the creator. This is dangerous teaching and can lead our affections astray.  Jesus never promised to make you rich while you are here on this earth.  We are to be satisfied in Him, but for true believers He also is preparing a place for us in heaven.

 

If you ask ten different people “how do you define success?” you will probably get ten different answers.  If you’re talking with someone, and you’re not sure what their relationship with God is like, this is a good question to ask them.  All of us want to be successful.  A true follower of Jesus will answer that question much differently than someone who does not follow Jesus.  In fact the answer to this question will also reveal if someone is a strong Christian or a weak Christian.  Maybe a pastor would answer that question, "to be successful is to have a large church",  but that is the wrong answer.  You may only have three people in your church, but if you are leading that church in the way that honors God, then God says you are successful. There are many Christians around the world, quietly serving God faithfully, who the world doesn’t even notice. Yet God would call that person successful because they are obeying what God told them to do. Success to a Christian is obedience to the will of God whether they might go through trials or blessings. 

Job in the Bible had many possessions and the world would have called him successful.  Job was not successful because of what he owned, but because he was a man who honored God.  Therefore, when he lost it all and did not blame God, He was pleased with Job’s life.  And God spoke with Job near the end of the suffering and taught him more about Himself.  That time spent with God are the riches.  Let’s be careful how we define success in our lives. We should not care if the world calls us successful, but if we love God and obey Him, we are successful.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries