Curiosity has led folks to ask, “What does the Bible say success is?” Well, it’s an intriguing question. The Bible, seen as a guide by many, indeed has some fascinating insights into success. Unlike how mainstream society often defines success (think wealth or fame), the Bible offers a somewhat different perspective.
Truth be told, the Bible doesn’t speak of success in terms of luxury cars and sprawling mansions nor does it equate it with high-profile jobs or social status. Instead, it values virtues like integrity, humility, and kindness – not exactly what one might expect.
In fact, it encourages people to view success from a spiritual lens rather than a worldly one. It puts emphasis on living righteously and helping others – now that’s what the good book calls real success! So for those searching for answers in ancient wisdom, they might find this viewpoint refreshingly different from today’s conventional notions of achievement.
Understanding the Concept of Success in the Bible
When it comes to understanding success from a biblical perspective, it’s essential to note that the concept might be quite different from what you’re used to. Instead of focusing on material wealth and personal achievements, the Bible emphasizes spiritual growth and service to others as key indicators of success.
Peek into Proverbs 16:3 for instance. It says “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” That’s a clear hint that success in God’s eyes has less to do with worldly accomplishments and more about dedicating one’s actions towards honoring Him.
It wouldn’t be wrong then, would it, if we inferred from Matthew 6:33 -“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”- that biblical success is about placing God’s will above our own? In fact, this scripture suggests that when we prioritize Godliness, other aspects of life (like health or prosperity) will follow suit.
Now let’s take a look at another example. The Apostle Paul talks about contentment in Philippians 4:12-13. He says he knows how to live in plenty or in want. How? Through Christ who strengthens him! So according to Paul’s statement here, true success is finding satisfaction regardless of our circumstances by relying on Jesus’ strength.
Lastly but definitely not least important is love! As per Corinthians 13:2,”…if I have faith that can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing”. This scripture underlines how even great feats mean zilch without love which sparks an idea – maybe real success lies in loving God wholeheartedly and extending this same kind of love towards others?
The examples given above are just snippets from the treasure trove of wisdom found within the pages of Scripture. Every reader may encounter their personal definition of biblical success as they dive deeper into the Word.
Biblical Verses that Define Success
Diving into the holy book, you’ll find a treasure trove of wisdom on various aspects of life – including success. Contrary to modern definitions, success in the Bible isn’t measured by material wealth or societal status. Instead, it’s about spiritual growth and living a life pleasing to God.
Take a look at Joshua 1:8 for instance. It states, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Here, ‘success’ is tied directly with adherence to God’s law and constant meditation upon His word.
Next up is Proverbs 16:3 which says, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” From this verse, we can glean that true success comes from committing all our endeavors to God.
Another powerful scripture is Psalm 37:4 which encourages us,”Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” This verse implies that finding delight in God leads to Him fulfilling our heart’s desires – an ultimate sign of success!
Finally yet importantly is Matthew 6:33 where Jesus advises us saying,”But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”. In essence this bible verse tells us that putting God first guarantees provision for our needs – another measure of true biblical success!
These verses paint a clear picture; biblical ‘success’ deviates from worldly views. It emphasizes inward values like faithfulness towards God’s laws & commands over outward achievements or possessions. So let’s always remember when striving for success; it’s not merely about attaining earthly riches but rather enriching our spiritual lives in accordance to God’s will.
How Jesus Portrayed Success in His Teachings
Jesus’ teachings paint a different picture of success than what society often portrays. Instead of highlighting material wealth or popularity, He taught about the importance of spiritual growth and serving others.
One prime example is the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). In this story, three servants are given talents (an ancient unit of money) by their master based on their abilities. Two servants invest and double their talents, while one hides his talent out of fear. The two who grew their talents were praised as good and faithful servants. This parable illustrates that success isn’t about hoarding resources, but rather using what we’re given to create more—whether it’s love, kindness, faith, or joy.
In another instance in Mark 9:35, Jesus flips conventional notions of success on its head. He said “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. This suggests that true success comes from being humble and serving others selflessly.
Moreover, throughout His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus extols virtues such as meekness, mercy, purity in heart and peacemaking as ones that will receive God’s favor—quite contrary to worldly measures where power or wealth might define achievement.
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In summing up his views on earthly possessions versus heavenly treasures in Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus explains “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is there your heart will be also”. These words speak volumes about how Jesus viewed real success—not through accumulation of earthly possessions but by living a life pleasing to God which ensures eternal rewards.
So from these examples from His teachings it’s clear that according to Jesus, real success lies not in worldly gain but rather in our spiritual development and service to others.
Contrasting Worldly Success with Biblical Success
If one were to ask around, they’d find a myriad of definitions for success. For some, it’s amassing wealth; for others, it’s achieving power or recognition. Yet, in contrast to these worldly views, the Bible paints an entirely different picture of what true success is.
Worldly success tends to be measured by tangible achievements – the size of your bank account, the car you drive, or how many followers you have on social media. It’s all about being at the top and standing out from the crowd. But here’s where biblical success diverges from this path.
According to scripture, success isn’t about material gain or personal glory. Instead, it’s defined by faithfulness and obedience to God’s will. In Proverbs 3:5-6 it says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This verse emphasizes that true success lies in trusting God rather than relying solely on our abilities or resources.
Furthermore, biblical success revolves around cultivating virtues like love, kindness and humility – elements often overlooked when chasing after worldly ambitions. Jesus himself exemplified this when he washed his disciples’ feet – an act typically performed by servants (John 13:1-17). His actions showed that greatness comes from serving others rather than being served.
While there are countless successful people who’ve amassed wealth and fame according to worldly standards yet feel empty inside because their accomplishments don’t provide lasting satisfaction. On the other hand those who follow biblical principles might not stand out according to societal norms but they enjoy peace of mind knowing they’re living a life pleasing unto God which is a more enduring form of achievement.
So while both perspectives offer their own merits and demerits remember that what constitutes as ‘successful’ can greatly differ depending upon whether one is viewing through a worldly lens or a biblical one.
Conclusion: What Does The Bible Say Success Is
Rounding up, the Bible’s definition of success is far from what the world might suggest. It’s not about wealth, prestige or power. Instead, it’s a matter of spiritual richness and moral integrity. They believe that success lies in living a righteous life and fulfilling God’s purpose.
The Bible places high value on qualities such as faithfulness, humility, and love. In fact:
- Proverbs 22:4 says “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.”
- Galatians 5:22-23 points out “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness.”
Moreover:
1 Corinthians 13:13 declares “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
So if you’re measuring your achievements by worldly standards—money made or trophies won—you might be missing out on what true success means according to biblical teachings.
All things considered – being successful in God’s eyes requires striving for spiritual growth rather than material gain. It encourages us to give more than receive; to serve more than we’re served; to sacrifice instead of taking shortcuts.
It can’t be overstated: Success isn’t about impressing others—it’s about leaving an impact through your deeds based on virtuous principles defined in scriptures.
In essence – strive for spiritual prosperity over material wealth; exhibit genuine humility over arrogance; demonstrate real love over superficial friendships – this is what bible suggests as a roadmap towards true success!
