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“How Do You Define Success?”
Categories: Christian life, content, family, materialism, successAm I happy because of the security and wealth I have? Am I happy because of the things I do, the pleasures I enjoy, the food I eat, the clothing I wear, etc.? All these things can make me briefly happy, but pleasure is fleeting.
Your definition of success greatly affects your happiness and contentedness during your short stint on earth.
The "American dream" is about money and comfort. Is that success? Our Constitution guarantees us the right to pursue happiness, but it doesn't bother defining it. Most seem to think owning property produces happiness; therefore, to maximize happiness you should maximize the amount of stuff you own.
Not true!
Just look at how many winners of life's lottery still suffer severe depression, anger, hopelessness. Substance abuse remains rampant among the wealthy, just as it does among the poor. Being filthy rich doesn't protect marriages, as many of the world's rich and famous are famous for philandering, cheating, and divorcing.
Since money obviously does not guarantee happiness, we shouldn't define success by riches. I appreciate Dave Ramsey on many levels, but he often seems to equate "winning" with the amount of cash a person has. "Cash is king." He encourages making major sacrifices now to have millions later. He talks of years of rice and beans, beans and rice; live like no one else so that later you can live like no one else. Change the family tree.
For what purpose? Will those millions make me or my family happier down the road?
Why should I change my family tree in this way? Why should I leave millions to my children? Is this really the focus and goal God has for me and my family?
On the one hand,
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. (Prov. 13.22)
He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! (Prov. 28.19)
On the other hand,
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. (Prov. 13.7)
Better is a little with righteousness,
Than vast revenues without justice. (Prov. 16.8)
Better is a dry morsel with quietness,
Than a house full of feasting with strife. (Prov. 17.1)
He who trusts in his riches will fall,
But the righteous will flourish like foliage. (Prov. 11.28)
What if, instead of earthly riches, I give my family a strong work ethic? What if I teach them to love their neighbor as themselves? What if I teach them to take care of widows and orphans in their distress? What if I leave a legacy of peace and fellowship?
What if my family lives within their means but never becomes rich or powerful? Can they still find happiness?
What if I teach them to give away their money and trust God to take care of them and continue to fill their needs?
Jesus says:
"Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fill, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12.32-34)
Success, for the child of God, is a life filled with hope, love, faithfulness, and quietness. A contented man is successful.
As a wise man once prayed:
Give me neither poverty nor riches--
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, "Who is the LORD?"
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God. (Prov. 30.8-9)
