God’s plan for your success

Here’s what we’ve learned so far… the Old Testament records many of God’s promises of prosperity and success, but directed to the nation of Israel, NOT to us or our business efforts.

Furthermore, Jesus overturned the thinking of worldly success with a completely new concept of success related to the Kingdom of God.

These are some pretty dramatic findings, and they seem so very opposite to what you might have thought the Bible was saying.

So what does this now mean for you in business today? Is God no longer giving success to anyone? Should you even try to be successful? What kind of success should you pursue?

The Bible is full of reassurance and has a lot to say about this. Jesus sets the stage with words like these:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6:33-34

James adds to Jesus’ message, giving some very pointed advice to business people:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. — James 4:13-14A

And Paul encourages us to adopt a perspective different to the business world that is all around us, saying:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. — Romans 12:2

Once you set yourself apart from the pattern of the world and its definition of success, then God will reveal to you what His will is—what His plan of success for your life may be. Also in business today.

You have been given a unique set of gifts, likely including good doses of leadership, administration, strategic insights, marketing prowess, technical, or other. Now, you are called to use these in business, to build an inheritance from the Lord (not worldly wealth!), just as the Bible says:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. — Colossians 3:23-24

But what does this all mean in terms of the success you may envision in business?

As you apply yourself, you may or may not meet with worldly prosperity or some form of quantifiable success. Of course, as you first seek His Kingdom and His will, then the actual measure of prosperity, success or wealth given is rather secondary, and maybe is actually not that important after all, is it?

Does this change your idea of success?

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This reading plan has been abstracted from the Chapter 1 of the book "Toolbox Devotions for the Faith-Driven Entrepreneur," and we hope it helps clarify God’s plan for your success in business. As follow-up we recommend the next set of readings in this series: “How to know God’s Will”. To find that plan or others from God & Work, visit our website, or search for the plan title or "Roland Heersink" in the YouVersion app.