Television infomercials by the dozens promise to reveal the secrets of being successful. Of course the advertisements are always obscure enough that they don’t reveal those secrets unless you respond. But the implication is perfectly clear: success is related to money, power, influence, and position.

In today’s society we tend to look at someone’s material accumulation to determine whether he or she is successful. However, a successful person is someone who accomplishes goals and is able to enjoy the fruits of those goals. Unfortunately, many of those whom society calls successful are actually frustrated and lonely and have distressed family relationships. All too often these “successful” people take their own lives because they seem empty and valueless.

Christians view of success
Ideally Christians would not fall into the enemy’s trap of viewing people’s wealth, influence, and power as indicators of their success. However, because the enemy’s lies are so convincing, Christians unfortunately do fall into this trap. Nevertheless, newer and bigger homes, summer vacation homes, new cars, and private schools aren’t in themselves the problem. According to Matthew 6:32-33, the problem does not lie in material possessions; rather, it is in the desire to attain those possessions.

In today’s Christian society we see two extreme positions regarding success and material possessions. Adopting either position can threaten the spiritual balance in Christians’ lives. The two extremes are poverty syndrome and riches syndrome.

Poverty syndrome. Since the world gives so much attention to material possessions as an indicator of success, some Christians have concluded that the opposite must be God’s will—that Christians should be poor. Although poverty is mentioned many times in God’s Word, it is neither a promise nor a mandate. Jesus said that there would always be poor, but He never said that His followers had to be poor. When God chose someone to live on limited resources, it was either to teach him or her a lesson or to use them as an example. God’s promise is that He will provide all we need. He is not looking for martyrs who give up all; He is looking for believers who are willing to give up all if He wills it (1 Corinthians 13:3).

Riches syndrome. Other Christians have concluded that since poverty isn’t God’s norm, then riches must be. Therefore they assume that God must make them rich in order to protect His own image and integrity. They then set out to fulfill God’s will. If God doesn’t provide according to their preconceived plan, they rationalize that the ends justify the means and help God by going into debt to accumulate possessions. Still others try to manipulate God and His Word by giving in order to get, feeling that God is obligated to give back to them abundantly because they gave to Him. God’s plan may not always provide the newest and the best, but it will always provide enough whenever it is needed.

Success according to God
A look into God’s Word reveals that material blessings were given because God loved His people, not because they deserved it or He was obligated to bless them. On the other hand, His blessings were withheld from those who used them foolishly or misused them. To be a success from the biblical perspective, three prerequisites need to be met.

1. Surrender. Every successful servant of the Lord who was entrusted with material possessions and spiritual rewards first demonstrated an acceptance of God’s leadership, authority, and lordship.
2. Obedience. Those who are truly blessed by God demonstrate a willingness to use their wealth and resources for the work of the Lord. The more they release to God and to His work, the more God is able to glorify Himself through them. A true steward gives to God because he or she is dedicated to God’s work and God’s will.
3. Persistency. One attribute of a successful person in the eyes of the Lord is one who is persistent in the face of adversity. God wants Christians who don’t give up easily. Too often Christians live by an open door policy. Then when the door seems to close and they encounter obstacles they give up. But God never promised that we would not have obstacles or that doors would not close that we assumed would remain open. If all doors were to be open and waiting, there would be no need for Scriptures that direct us to knock. God needs those who will stand strong and not be shaken by circumstances or halted by obstacles.

Conclusion
It seems evident that many Christians fall prey to worldly success motivation. They have drive and ambition but fail to recognize God’s will for their lives and His plan and purpose for them. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God will reveal His plan to those who seek Him diligently. Unfortunately, for many Christians, if His plan is not compatible with what they feel His plan should be in their lives—especially regarding their income, status, and influence—they choose to rationalize themselves out of His will and, instead, seek success as the world defines it. The end result of such a decision is confusion, emptiness, dissatisfaction, and disappointment.

This article is an adaptation of Larry Burkett’s Biblical Principles Under Scrutiny article entitled “How to Be a Success,” Christian Financial Concepts, 1985.