How Does God Define Success?

We must ask “How does God define success?” as the school year comes to an end and our teens have their eyes on the College years ahead.  They will be getting numerous bits of advice about life and finance. Some will be valuable, some will not.  

They might think that being rich and having new cars, and a big house is success.  Actually, those are just rewards for success.  How can this be? Our own definition of what success looks like may not be exactly what it looks like to God. How does God define success?

The Bible actually tells us how God defines of success. 

In the Old Testament of the Bible we have example after example of men who were blessed by God with great riches and possessions.  And in some instances, He gave them whole kingdoms. Some became kings and some were simple hard working men.

One of God’s kings was King David. When he was dying he gave advice to his son Solomon. 1 kings 2:31 What he told him was to do what God commands, follow His teachings, and obey the law of Moses (The 10 Commandments). 

He told him that this would give him success no matter what he did or where he went.  His definition of success was to have a long life; years of life and peace.

When Solomon became king, he prayed and asked God for wisdom and discernment, so that he could lead God’s people.  This was his definition of success.  And God gave him wisdom and an understanding heart, more than any other man.

Because King Solomon was not selfish in his desires, He also gave him riches and honor among men. 1 Kings 3:1-14 

Solomon’s memories of the keys to success, taught to him by his father, King David:

“Do not forget God’s teachings, let your heart keep God’s commandments, you will have a long life, years of life and peace.

Love God and be faithful, bind His commandments around your neck and write them on the tablet of your heart. You will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.”

Proverbs 3:1-4

A further note:

This is the first parting piece of advice David gave to his son Solomon, when he was on his death bed.  He was a man that walked the walk as well as talked the talk. This King David is the same David that killed a giant with a slingshot and a stone.  He is the same David that God called “a man after my own heart”. Acts 13:22 

This is the same David that was persecuted, pursued by, and then concured the evil King Saul.  King David was a ledgend then and still is now. 

Another successful man of the Old Testament is Job.

 

Job was not a king but was blessed with quite a lot of land, cattle, homes, wife, children, and wealth.  Why? Because he loved God, followed his laws and put his life in God Almighty’s hand.  Under great loss, he still trusted God.

Job was already known as a wealthy man.  He was described as the wealthiest man in the East. After he was tested by satan and found to be a man of character and total submission to God, he was blessed with twice as many riches as he had before.  Wealth and riches, home and family are not success.  They are the rewards of success.

How does God define success?

New Testament teachings:

How does God’s definition of success relate to man?

What does God want for our teens and us?

Galatians 5:22,23  “The fruit of the Spirit (living within you) are

• Love,
• joy,
• peace,
• patience,
• gentleness,
• goodness,
• faithfulness,
• kindness, and
• self-control”.

This is how God defines success for His ladies.  

 

Proverbs 31:10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

• 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 
• 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 
• 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 
• 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 
• 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and
• giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 
• 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
• with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 
• 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 
• 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 
• 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 
• 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 
• 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 
• 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 
• 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 
• 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
•  26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and
• in her tongue is the law of kindness. 
• 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and
• eateth not the bread of idleness. 

Her reward for God’s definiton of success:

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. She is rewarded with the results of her hard work. 

What would her reward look like today?

Good healthy food, trust from her husband, beautiful clothing, a satisfied household, and a husband and children that praise her.  Her husband is successful and has a good name.  She is strong in body and spirit. And is respected for her generosity to the poor and needy.  Mrs. Virtue is smart, wise and kind.

She has a beautiful house and makes time for crafting and sewing.  Her realestate portfolio is valuable and profitable from her in-home business.  God says that her worth is far above rubies and that she is to be respected and praised. 

What does the Bible say about success?

• The Bible gives us direction in knowledge Proverbs 3:5,6
• Unhindered amounts of wisdom James1:5 and
• The peace that passes understanding. Philippians 4:7

 

Matthew 16:26   Says,  “What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world if he forfeits his soul”?  It also says in Matthew 6:21 “Where your treasure is there also is your heart”.

When children are asked what they want to be when they grow up, they usually dream of meaningful careers like a fireman, policeman, doctor, lawyer, businessman, superhero, etc.

Children don’t do research to find out what will make them the most money, give them the most influence and fame. If you look at these careers, fireman, policeman, doctor and lawyer, even superhero, all are in the service of mankind.

In contrast, for teens and adults, thoughts of success usually include money, influence, fame, or transformation.  Now we know that these are the results of success and not success itself.

We also know that wealth and homes and other dreams that we might have are not evil in and of themselves. They are our rewards for being faithful, giving, loving people. And who serve God and serve others.

How does God define success?

In the Bible God says “Delight yourselves also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Another verse to know is Matthew 6:33.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.”

Teens cannot expect for their dreams and wishes to fall out of the sky.

God expects us to work for them too.  However, He will not leave us unguided and in the dark.

 

Psalm 119:105 “Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”

Isaiah 41:1 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

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