Question LifeSample

How Do We Honor God with Our Success?

I believe that there is nothing wrong with being successful in the worldly sense. God may bless us with good grades, a promising career, wealth, and influence.

The Bible gives many examples of men who were richly blessed, literally. King Solomon enjoyed great wealth and a sterling reputation. God told him: "I will give you what you have not asked for--both wealth and honor--so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings" (1 Kings 3:13). So did Job, who had livestock in the thousands. They were the Warren Buffett and Bill Gates of their day.

But they kept their perspective. Solomon was blessed so much because he had asked only for wisdom, a request which pleased God greatly. Until he lost the plot later, he was known for his desire to love God and to be a just king. Job too didn't base his faith in God on his wealth. Even when he lost it all, he continued to worship God. I believe that if God has given us the privilege of being successful, it is for a reason.

Perhaps it is to bless others in return. Perhaps we can use our position and influence to help others and be a light for God. And certainly, in leading a godly life, we would be an example to others. Solomon, for example, brought great honor to God with his wisdom (while he was still walking with God).

But if we are overly focused on building a good career, growing our wealth, or building our reputation, it gets very difficult to keep God at the center of our lives. We will start to trust in our hard work, our talents, and our intelligence, and not in God and His provision.

That's why Jesus challenged the rich young man who sought eternal life to give up all his possessions. When the man couldn't, Jesus told His disciples, "Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:23). Likewise, He stressed that we cannot serve both God and money at the same time, only one or the other (Matthew 6:24).

Jesus didn't condemn wealth or power outright; He was looking at how much value we put on these. The Roman centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant was a man of power. He commanded many well-armed soldiers. But he was fully aware of the limits of his power. He recognized Jesus' power as even greater and sought His help with the greatest humility. It won the ultimate accolade from Jesus, who said, "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:5-13).

Perhaps you're going through the same thing today. Maybe you're successful by the world's standards and enjoying its perks. Are you holding on dearly to it for its own sake? Or are you using it for God's purpose, whether in business, school, or ministry?--Leslie Koh