TRUE SUCCESS
By Nanci Leeper©1999
Success is something every human desires for himself or herself. Yet many feel like failures. As Christian's we should never ever have the "defeated" unsuccessful attitude. When defining actual success, Noah Webster who wrote the first dictionary as well who was a founding father of the United States defines success as a : degree or measure of succeeding b : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence 3 : one that succeeds. So lets take a moment and look at what TRUE success is.
As Christians our success should be focused on our walk and relationship with God. Man measures success by material items, Job title, income or even by the vehicle you drive.
Take a look at the scriptures that give us instruction on how to obtain true success in life:
Faith in Christ:
Acts 16:31." And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
 
Love for God
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
 
Obedience to God's Word
Psalm 119:115B for I will keep the commandments of my God.
 
Serving and Helping others.
A) Matthew 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
B) 1 Kings 2:2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
How can this success be obtained? Committing all you do to God. Giving Him priority over all things in your life.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
True success that comes from God, is killed by our attraction to worldly things, When we lust for money, position, power, fame, we will be tempted to spend our energies to get these things and that will take us away from a pursuit of God.
Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
 
Is it OK to be successful in our lives?
A) Proverbs 12:24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
B) Proverbs 22:29 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.
 
There are many Godly character traits that, if applied to our lives, often bring material success these thing to name a few are hard word, integrity, commitment, planning ahead, serving others, and giving to the position God has called you to.
Through out scripture there are frequent references to God's blessings to His people. God allows His people to have material blessings but never urges to sacrifice Spiritual matters for World wealth.
A) Genesis 39:2- 39:3 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.
B) Exodus 33:14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
So next time you feel as if you have failed due to being an assembly line worker, a stay at home mother, a car wash attendant or whatever position you may be in remember that true success comes from above, Do the job you are called to do with integrity. Pray that God would increase your knowledge in performing the job He has called you to. Remember God is no respecter of person's He uses all of us in many arena's and in different ways.
Praise Him for the abilities he has given you! Praise Him for that job that seems humdrum, seek Him and ask Him how you can be effective in the position He has blessed you with.