True Success

Just about everyone desires to have success or be successful in this life. In reality many lifestyles are shaped and molded around that very desire. When children are young, they are told to get good grades and be a good student so they can obtain academic scholarships. A degree from a college or university is what many pursue because of the success that follows once the degree is awarded. The higher-up positions at multi-billion-dollar companies offer three figure jobs which provide a chance to live comfortably, and the possibility of early retirement. These are just a few areas in life where success is prioritized and sought after. From an early age on into adulthood, success is on everyone’s mind. However, is it truly the case that these things are the means by which someone becomes successful? Does a scholarship, degree, job, salary, or age of retirement determine success? While those things may help an individual achieve success on this earth, they will not help in the pursuit of true success. Naturally, if the things of this world do not lead men to true success, the question becomes what will? To answer these questions God’s Word must be considered.

Throughout Scripture, we note several occasions where true success is attributed to the Word of God. In Joshua 1:8 the Bible says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”. Joshua tells the readers of God’s Word, when Scripture is constantly on the minds of men and obedience is the response that follows, prosperity and success is given. In Psalm 1, we notice the man who delights and meditates in God’s Word is like, “a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1:3). In the account of the rich young ruler Jesus told the young man, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22). If true success was accomplished by the things we possessed, why would Jesus tell the young man to give it away? From all of these passages one thing becomes evident; true success is not measured by the riches we gain or the things we possess. Rather, true success is measured and found in the Word of God.

When we get to the end of our lives wouldn’t it be wonderful to look back and be able to say you were successful? To say that you are truly successful not because you obtained a certain amount of money or because you secured a certain job, but because you lived your life by the Word of God. May we all have the heart and mind that strives for this kind of success.