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Success
How do we define success?
Our wealth ? Our vehicles ? Our homes ? Type of phone we carry ? Clothes we wear ? Our power or influence ? Number of friends we have on facebook ? Our faith ?
Who influences our definition of success?
Neighbors ? Coworkers ? Friends ? Family ? Brethren ?
The world tells us that success is defined by wealth , how new our vehicle is….and how many “toys” we have. At all costs , we should always have the latest gadgets , wear the latest style of clothes and follow all of the social trends that are currently popular, regardless of decency or morality. This is worldly success.
There is nothing wrong with being wealthy , driving a new vehicle , having new clothes , or carrying the latest smart phone. We just simply CANNOT let these THINGS or the pursuit of these things consume or hinder us from doing the Lord’s work. Matt 6:24 tells us that “You cannot serve God and mammon”(riches). Jesus warned his disciples in Matt 16:24-26 that gaining the whole world wasn’t worth losing their souls. In the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12 : 13-21) Jesus told of a rich man who possessed land that yielded plentifully. The man decided to pull down his barns and build larger ones that would hold his increased harvest , and then take his ease for the years to come. God required his soul that night. God said it is a fool who lays up treasure for himself , and is not rich toward God. Obviously , the man’s abundance did nothing to save his soul!
We are also provided many examples of those who were consumed with their wealth and could not depart from it. The parable of the rich young ruler in Luke 18: 18-23 cites a young man who is doing everything right. When Jesus tells him to sell all his belongings and distribute them to the poor , so he may have treasure in heaven , the young man went away sorrowful because he had great possessions. He struggled to part with his wealth. Jesus tells the Pharisees about a rich man and Lazarus (a beggar) in Luke 16:19-31. Both the rich man and Lazarus died. The rich man was in Hades , while Lazarus was in Abraham’s bosom. The rich man begged for mercy ; he requested Lazarus to relieve his thirst and then requested Lazarus be sent to the his brothers to warn them of his torments. Jesus makes it very clear that those whose first love is money are blinded from salvation (I Tim 6: 10). There wasn’t anything that Lazarus possessed on earth that could have saved him.
What are our goals for success? Salvation and the desire to reside in heaven should be our first goals. We should live , share , and teach our faith. If we acquire wealth by conducting ourselves properly and holding to our Christian values , then all we must do is become good stewards of that wealth. Good stewardship is required of us ; both spiritual and financial (Luke 16:10-13 , Luke 18: 18-23). We are warned about the temptations of wanting to be rich and where the love of money will lead us (1Tim 6: 9-10). We also have an example in 1Tim 6: 17-18 , that the rich should trust in the living God and do good works , ready to give , willing to share.
Success? Success starts with a simple confession that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:37). This confession takes Faith (Rom 10:17 , Heb 11:6). You must repent of your sins (Luke 13: 3,5 , Acts 26:20). You must be baptized (Acts 2:38). We are told to put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-20). Success continues when we push forward to seek our goal of Heaven (Phil 3:12-14). We should not grow weary while doing good (Gal 6:9). We are assured of our reward if we are successful in our spiritual pursuits and daily living (Matt 6: 19-21).
Heavenly success is second to none.
Doug Welch
