What is Success?

Would anyone really ever say, and mean, "I don't want to succeed"? Probably not. Most people would like to be successful, but the question then becomes: "What does success look like?" Everyone's answers would almost certainly look a little different. What comes to mind when you try to think of a successful person? Have you ever considered what success would look like for you?

Is it a certain job or salary?

A number in your bank account?

A dream home or car?

A spouse and family?

Retirement?

A legacy to leave behind?

Once you have achieved or obtained these things, do you become successful? The world's standards claim that more money, stuff, and status make a person successful. Surprisingly, using this standard, the most successful man to have ever lived was actually in the Bible. King Solomon had everything: houses, gold, women, status. King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth (1 Kings 10:23). Everything he could ever want, he had it in abundance. Yet in the end, he concluded it was all vanity and worthlessness. He wrote the entire book of Ecclesiastes telling of the fruitlessness of material wealth. There was no point. True success doesn't come from following the standards set by the world; it comes from God. As we evaluate how we define a successful life, it must be seen in the scope of eternity. This paradigm will change the way we see everything: Our pursuit will be people instead of possessions. His Word will take priority over the world's wisdom for instruction. And we will have hearts purposed to glorify Him in all we do. God's view of success looks vastly different from the picture the world paints all around us. What has success looked like in your life? How have you defined success up until this point? How might your success look different when seen through the scope of eternity?

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ITEC's LIFE Focus is developing tools for discipleship and walking His Trail in all areas of life. The LIFE Study is a tool for taking an honest assessment of your life and ask who is really writing my story? Remember, God does not want to be the editor, He wants to be the Author.