A Measure of Success – Part 3
September 17, 2000
Dear Friends:
We have been talking the last few weeks about success. So far, we have suggested that God-centered or real success is glorifying our heavenly Father. Love and humility are examples of God-centered success. On the other hand, the most common definition of success from the world’s point of view is how much can you glorify yourself. Fame and fortune are perfect examples of the self-centered world view.
We left off last week with a quotation from 1 Timothy 6:6 where it states “godliness with contentment is great gain.” In other words, if we can be happy or satisfied in whatever place we happen to be in life while exhibiting Godly characteristics, we have found success this side of the kingdom.
“Great gain” from the world’s point of view is the accumulation of wealth. Contentment is not included in that world view. Contentment, they would say, is for losers. You can never have too much money or possessions. Movie and sport stars as well as big corporate executives are not generally known for their contentment. The next big movie, game or deal is the only thing that matters.
The truth is that many qualities we see in those successful carnally-minded people are those we see in successful spiritually-minded people. Determination, focus, perseverance and desire are just a few of the overlapping qualities of the successful. Unfortunately for us, we too often admire the accomplishment rather than the qualities that brought about the success.
While we can admire the determination, focus, etc. of such men and women who accomplish worldly goals, it has to be set against the backdrop of our own spiritual goals. Do we have a similar focus and determination for our mission? If the answer is “no”, we can only say “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”
The apostle Paul expressed his contentment when he said, “for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” (Phil 4:11,12) Paul’s contentment was based on the spiritual, not the physical.
Contentment should not be confused with apathy. The apostles who so passionately taught those things “most surely believed among us” never could be accused of apathy. Their zeal was for things not of this world. Their concern for the natural was for sustaining the spiritual. They realized their holy calling made all other things for the most part irrelevant.
Paul carries this thought to its logical conclusion when he says “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Phil 1:20) It didn’t matter to Paul whether he lived or died as long as Christ was glorified.
It is hard for us to come face to face with such single-minded pursuit of spiritual success that your own life does not matter as long as Christ is glorified. We might place this on a level beyond what the average man is called upon to deliver. Yet, Jesus tells us matter-of-factly that it is not only for the zealous apostle from Tarsus, but for us too. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
Lord willing, we’ll continue on this thought next week. In the meantime, have a spiritually successful week!
