ARE SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE REALLY SUCCESFUL?

I can tell you the answer to that question right away. Some are, some aren’t.

I’m not saying that it is impossible, but I am saying that it is extremely difficult to be at the top of any profession without violating other priorities to get there.

If you are judging success in relation to other people, or with a competitive measure of any type, there are too many people you are judging yourself against who are willing to do anything to be at the top. You will have to outperform people who do not care about serving, relationships, or worship. You will have to outperform people who neglect their families. You will have to outperform people who compromise their health. You will have to outperform people who are willing to step on and over anyone or anything that gets in their way. Once again, not in all cases, but in most, that is the profile of the person who is number one in his or her profession. That is the person you are going to have to beat out for that position, and that is the person you may become in the process of doing so.

And if that is the person you become in the process, then your life is not a success. It is a colossal failure. Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” James 3:16 says, “For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” That verse tells me that when you arrive at your desired destination, your relationships and your life will be a complete and total mess.

But praise God, there is another way to the top. Just as the Scripture says, the first will be last, it also says that the last will be first. The way up is down. It is through humility and service, and putting the needs of others before your own. When you take care of God’s business, He will take care of yours. Matthew 6:33 promises, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” I Chronicles 29:12 says, “Wealth and honor come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.”

True success lies in your character, not in your position or possessions. But if God can trust you to use it for His glory, He may give you a position of great influence. If God can trust you as a steward, He may give you enough riches to generously share. They will come as a by-product of seeking Him, not from your own ambition. When you do your work as unto Him (Colossians 3:23), it will be difficult not to stand out.