"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)
The definition of success varies greatly depended on the yardstick used to measure it. The world has it’s criteria for determining it, and the Holy Bible has a radically different one.
The elements of worldly achievements include the amount of money you have and the amount of money you make. It is based on what model car you drive, and how much it cost. A big promotion at work and a large new house in an exclusive neighborhood are considered praise worthy accomplishments. Sadly, even many Christians try to judge the success of their lives by these same standards.
Believers, however, should use a Biblical based yardstick to measure their accomplishments. A family is a success if the love of our Master is present in their heart and is being applied to their life. Success is spending time on your knees praying to Jehovah and getting up feeling as clean and refreshed as if you had taken a shower. It is faith bringing sons and daughters, and husbands and wives closer together for a deeper walk with our Deliverer.
When a family ends the day with Bible study and prayer that is praise worthy achievement. When parents teach their children the Scriptural duty to take care of others who are less fortunate, that is a lasting accomplishment. When a family walks guided by God and His laws, they have achieved success.
True success comes not from installing a swimming pool and hot tub in your backyard, getting promoted to partner at the office, or being invited to join the country club. These are shallow material things with no eternal value. Success is not built upon such vain and temporary accomplishments.
Real accomplishments come from investing in things of great spiritual and eternal value. A father teaching his son how a Christian man acts. A mother teaching her daughter about purity. Changing the eternal destiny of your own children. It is modeling a relationship with Jesus before your children. It is the passing down of something that will transform future generations yet to be born. True success comes not from doing well in the eyes of a corrupt and sinful world, it results from running the good race in anticipation of hearing our Messiah say” Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Copyright 2007 Timothy E. Davis