God’s Definition of Success
In God's point of view, success is seen in one simple word: faithfulness.
How do we define success in life? A lot of people in our world define success through what they can see with their eyes—usually in the form of wealth and material possessions. A person is often seen as successful if he or she has a high paying job, a nice house, a fancy car, and the means to go on picture perfect vacations. But this is a worldly way of viewing success. Jesus Christ, Himself, wouldn't fit this particular definition of success since He didn't have any earthly possessions to brag about while He was here in this world.
In God's Kingdom, success is viewed much differently than how the world does. In God's point of view, success is seen in one simple word: faithfulness. God doesn't care much about the fancy homes and cars we own or the spectacular human achievements we've accomplished. But God does care about whether or not we've been faithful to Him and what He has called us to do in life.
In the gospels, we read a parable about how a master commended his servants who were simply faithful to what the master called them to do. Look at the master's reaction to a servant who was considered to be "successful." The master said these words: "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master" (Matt. 25:21 ESV). The master in this passage was speaking to a servant who worked faithfully and eventually doubled his master's initial investment. The commendation that the master gave the servant highlighted what was important: the servant's faithfulness. "Well done, good and faithful servant," the master declared. The servant was simply faithful to the desires of the master. And this made the servant successful in his master's eyes.
We should see success in this way too. Our definition of success should be rooted in God's definition of success and not the world's. And God's definition of success is simply seen through our faithfulness to Him and what He has called us to do. Are we being faithful to God and the work that He's assigned to us?
How we define success is important because it's eventually going to influence how we live our lives on earth. If we view success in worldly terms, then we're likely going to chase after material wealth and possessions. But if we view success in the way that God does, then we're going to seek to be as faithful as we can in our relationship with Him and in the work that He has assigned us to do.
How will you define success in this lifetime?
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
