“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Josh 1:8
Defining success is extremely important in any endeavor. It is the end product one is attempting to achieve that determines what objectives or goals are set to achieve “success.” Then objectives or goals determine methods and shape tasks. Right down the line to the smallest of processes and procedures, everything that is attempted finds its genesis in the definition of success. If one does not know what success is, one will not know when it is achieved. Many wander aimlessly through life, never reaching fulfillment or finding satisfaction because they have no goal. In this sense, our view of success is integrally associated with what we see as our purpose.I believe that defining success is an essential element of a life of faith. To fail to allow God to define success in our life is to allow something or someone other than God to set our goals for us. If we do not surrender this task to God, we will begin a journey without direction. Every journey acquires a direction at some point even if it is uncertain or tentative. If God does not define success for us, somewhere along life’s path, either circumstances or others, or a combination of these will fix this target for us.
Have you ever wondered what happened to people who once held truth and walked with God, yet over the years their beliefs changed and their direction altered? Several examples of this sort can be found in the music industry. We have all heard the story of what the famous musician once believed and the life that was once lived. But talent was bristling from all pores and almost every tune that they casually hummed sold a million. They signed a record contract, moved to Nashville, and became big stars. After they became “successful” and over a period of time, their beliefs changed. What happened? I suggest to you that if we do not allow God to fix firmly in our mind what success means, we will allow someone else to make that determination for us. The result might not be pleasing to God.
I read an article a few months ago by a preacher friend that I respect. He talked about a particular minister in our ranks. The statement was made that this minister genuinely desired all ministers to be “successful.” I could not get that statement out of my mind. What does he mean by the word successful? I began to ask myself, “What will success look like when I achieve it?” I had to honestly also ask myself, “Am I not successful now?” So you see, what we are dealing with here is not only an issue of definitions but also one of perception and ultimately, faith. Will you accept someone else’s view of success no matter how well meaning, or will you allow God to firmly fix your purpose and define your goals?
I do want to address this subject from the Word of God. Yet I realize that with a topic that is as subjective as the one before us, you need concrete examples and illustrations. It is extremely difficult to express my thoughts on this subject without coming across in a self-righteous, know-it-all way. Please forgive me if that is the way it seems to you. In no way do I hold myself up as an example of success or achievement.
God Sets a Goal
A) Success is Defined by the God Who Calls Man
“Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” Josh 1:1-2
Moses passed off the scene and God placed the leadership of the nation upon Joshua. God spoke to Joshua and established a goal for his life and ministry. This was not a goal from men; it came from God. The call was from God and the goal of that call was also from God. A call comes with a goal, or a purpose. God had a purpose for Joshua in his life and ministry. I hope you do not believe I am only addressing preachers. Every child of God has a ministry, a purpose.
Since the call to serve comes from God, He also established the purpose of that service. In Joshua’s case, the purpose or the goal of His call was to lead the nation into the Promised Land. But wasn’t this Moses’ purpose or goal also? Didn’t the Lord call Moses to lead the nation out of Egypt and into the Promised Land? Isn’t exiting out of Egypt incomplete without entering into Canaan? Yet Moses did not lead the people into the Promised Land.
Hold it right here! Would you say that Moses was unsuccessful? Would you say that Moses was unfaithful in his ministry? I think not!
Since the call to serve comes from God, He also established the purpose of that service. In Joshua’s case, the purpose or the goal of His call was to lead the nation into the Promised Land. But wasn’t this Moses’ purpose or goal also? Didn’t the Lord call Moses to lead the nation out of Egypt and into the Promised Land? Isn’t exiting out of Egypt incomplete without entering into Canaan? Yet Moses did not lead the people into the Promised Land.
Hold it right here! Would you say that Moses was unsuccessful? Would you say that Moses was unfaithful in his ministry? I think not!
“Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.” Heb 3:2
“And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;” Heb 3:5
The Epistle to the Hebrews tells us that Moses was faithful to him that appointed him and that Moses fulfilled his call faithfully. Can we agree that there were factors involved in Moses’ call that were beyond his control? What are we speaking about? How about a stiff-necked nation who refused to obey God? What about a people that rebelled against God and resisted every attempt the Lord made to prepare them to enter His rest? Was this Moses’ fault? I trust that I am not comparing myself to Moses and preparing an excuse for failure in advance! No, I am simply making a point that much about this man’s call had to do with others. Even though Moses was faithful in fulfilling his call, the purpose or goal of that call was not achieved.
Here is an important concept to grasp - Success is defined by the One Who calls man. Even though Moses did not achieve the purpose of his call, God said that he was faithful. There is no hint in Scripture that God considers Moses a failure. Why? Because Moses obeyed God. I know folks who would have sent Moses to classes to teach him how to motivate the people to enter the Promised Land. I know folks who would have recommended a book to Moses about how to use a team concept to encourage Israel to enter the Promised Land. Surely Moses’ denomination should have sent him to a workshop to teach him about making the Promised Land “relevant” to his generation.
B) The Measure of Success God Uses is Faithfulness
The measure that is used by God to determine success is very different that man’s measure. Our ministry, even our life itself is a stewardship arrangement.
The measure that is used by God to determine success is very different that man’s measure. Our ministry, even our life itself is a stewardship arrangement.
“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Cor 4:2
I am reading a good book: Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome by Kent and Barbara Hughes. This is the book that I have been planning to write one day when I believe that more than half a dozen people will read it. The Hughes do a good job in some respects, but I have several chapters I would like to add. The Hughes use the example of Moses at Rephidim. The crowd was demanding water. God told Moses to speak to the rock and Moses whacked it instead. Bam! Results! Water gushed from the rock and the nation drank. The people thought Moses was a success (for about one day) because he got results and they benefited. But God was displeased because Moses disobeyed Him and did not allow the Lord to be glorified by doing God’s work God’s way.This is one of the chapters I will add to the Hughes’s book - When men do God’s work their own way, they steal His glory and they fail in their calling. They may have “results,” but that isn’t success. They may have people rave about them because they drink the water, but that isn’t the measure of success. They might earn the acclaim of men and be esteemed “successful” by men, but God’s measure of success is different than men. God considers doing His work in His way as the true measure of success. God calls this faithfulness.
The person whose praise you strive for is the one who will define success for you. And ultimately this person is who will control your life and your ministry. This is true of every aspect of your life. The person you seek to please and earn approval from will ultimately control your life.
Bondage or Freedom?
A) Bound by Man’s Opinion
Our definition of success will either bind us or set us free. There are tons of folks who are very goofed up because they grew up without feeling that could gain approval from someone important to them. Because they were made to feel that this approval was beyond their reach, it affected their self-esteem. It caused them to devalue their own abilities and accomplishments.
Take this concept a step further. What about adults who still feel that success means earning the approval of other people? Those who are able to bring water from the rock with a whack and God working behind the scene, are really controlled by the people they seek to please. They live in bondage.
But what about the rest of the world that can’t earn the approval of those they feel they must please? They are also bound. But in add addition to being controlled by others, they are frustrated because they can’t be “successful.”
In Liberating Ministry, the Hughes talk about something that I have observed for many years. They talk about their struggles as a church plant, the equivalent of a home missions church. Their denomination sent them to growth seminars. The emphasis on growth was always numeric. They were told that if you preached a certain type of message, people would come. If you had a certain type of music, the church would grow. If you had certain programs that made your church relevant, growth was inevitable. The implied message is that if your church isn’t growing numerically, you are not a good preacher, singer, and cannot organize. So, what was intended to encourage became a discouragement, because the definition of success was based on man’s view.
There is bondage in trying to please men. This is true not only in the ministry, but in any field of endeavor. This message isn’t to preachers and about preachers; it is to Christians about the life of faith.
Our definition of success will either bind us or set us free. There are tons of folks who are very goofed up because they grew up without feeling that could gain approval from someone important to them. Because they were made to feel that this approval was beyond their reach, it affected their self-esteem. It caused them to devalue their own abilities and accomplishments.
Take this concept a step further. What about adults who still feel that success means earning the approval of other people? Those who are able to bring water from the rock with a whack and God working behind the scene, are really controlled by the people they seek to please. They live in bondage.
In Liberating Ministry, the Hughes talk about something that I have observed for many years. They talk about their struggles as a church plant, the equivalent of a home missions church. Their denomination sent them to growth seminars. The emphasis on growth was always numeric. They were told that if you preached a certain type of message, people would come. If you had a certain type of music, the church would grow. If you had certain programs that made your church relevant, growth was inevitable. The implied message is that if your church isn’t growing numerically, you are not a good preacher, singer, and cannot organize. So, what was intended to encourage became a discouragement, because the definition of success was based on man’s view.
There is bondage in trying to please men. This is true not only in the ministry, but in any field of endeavor. This message isn’t to preachers and about preachers; it is to Christians about the life of faith.
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Prov 29:25
B) Set Free by God
On the other hand, there is liberty in knowing that you only have to please One. Pleasing God is the definition of success.
Joshua is given the second half of Moses’ goal for his ministry.
Joshua is given the second half of Moses’ goal for his ministry.
“…go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.” Josh 1:2
God set the goal and determined the method to achieve the goal. And then, the Lord defined success for Joshua.
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Josh 1:8
As long as Joshua served God faithfully, God promised prosperity and success. Being faithful to God is the heart and soul of success.
When it is defined in these terms, success is obtainable for all people. This is liberating! There is freedom in knowing that if you serve God faithfully, you will always be a success in His eyes!
I believe that defining success is an essential element of a life of faith. To fail to allow God to define success is to allow something or someone other than God to set our goals for us. This will lead us either to the cycle of performance for approval or straight to the pit of despair because we just can’t measure up.
What happens to those who loose sight of God’s measure of success along the journey of life? They allow others to bolt on a different idea and thus end up changing the direction they travel. Many lose their way and never find their proper position in Christ Jesus.
Success must be defined by the God Who calls and invests in us. The measure He uses is faithfulness. The success syndrome is part of the prosperity cult. Knowing that the measure of accomplishment we should strive for is merely to be faithful to God and to our call is truly liberating.
When it is defined in these terms, success is obtainable for all people. This is liberating! There is freedom in knowing that if you serve God faithfully, you will always be a success in His eyes!
I believe that defining success is an essential element of a life of faith. To fail to allow God to define success is to allow something or someone other than God to set our goals for us. This will lead us either to the cycle of performance for approval or straight to the pit of despair because we just can’t measure up.
What happens to those who loose sight of God’s measure of success along the journey of life? They allow others to bolt on a different idea and thus end up changing the direction they travel. Many lose their way and never find their proper position in Christ Jesus.
Success must be defined by the God Who calls and invests in us. The measure He uses is faithfulness. The success syndrome is part of the prosperity cult. Knowing that the measure of accomplishment we should strive for is merely to be faithful to God and to our call is truly liberating.
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