A Measure of Success – Part 4
September 24, 2000
Dear Friends:
There is perhaps no better illustration of the different perspectives of success in Scripture than the parable known as the rich man and Lazarus.
The parable describes Lazarus in the most abominable terms. He was a beggar. He was covered in sores. He was a hungry, miserable wretch.
On the other hand, we have the rich man. He is described as “dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.”
Although we don’t have the time nor space to discuss the details of the remainder of the parable, the lesson is obvious. It is eternal success that matters, not temporal success.
The lesson is not that beggars are more righteous than rich people or vice versa. It simply teaches that there is not a link between earthly success and heavenly. Make no doubt about it, to the people of that day and to ours also, the idea abounds that God blesses those he loves materially while hardship is a result of divine retribution.
“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things–and the things that are not–to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29) By saying “not many”, Paul does not exclude worldly success coincident with spiritual success. However, Paul puts an emphasis on the difficulty of having both.
Why is it difficult to have both worldly and spiritual success? The answer seems to lie in the heart. Man cannot serve to masters.
We are quick to point out the successful men who are Biblical examples faith. Abraham and David were successful in both a worldly and spiritual sense. David was attractive, wealthy, a military genius and a king. At the same time, both men are examples of men who achieved worldly success but without directly pursing it.
Worldly success must be viewed as much of a trial as worldly failure (if not more!). With worldly success come the responsibility of handling that success. It is a person of outstanding character that can be successful and humble like David and Abraham.
In any event, the point that the Scriptures makes to us over and over can be summarized in the saying of Jesus when he said “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Have a great week!
