Recently, the headline of one local newspaper read, ‘Success: who has it?’ Everyone is interested in success, but many do not know how to get it. Others do not know how it is measured. However, the Bible has a lot to say on success.

“This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night; that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)

Success is not measured by looks or appearance. Society tends to gauge people’s success by how they dress, their material possessions, fame, social status or image. There is even an adage to emphasize this, ‘fake it until you make it’.

However, success is not measured by what one has in terms of wealth. Many people are wealthy, not out of their efforts in creating wealth, but because they inherited it. And they are failures in life because your net worth is not the same as your self-worth.

It is not measured by your popularity or the people you know. Many people are fond of and quick in dropping names of who’s who in society and their close associations with them. What matters is who and what you are - not at the expense of others.

We can learn some attributes of success from the life of Apostle Paul. First, he had a sense of direction and purpose. He had a crystal clear purpose for his life: to go and preach the good news where Jesus Christ was not known; so that he would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

The greatest tragedy is not death; it is life without purpose! Not having a purpose in life is similar to going to the bus station; requesting for a ticket but when asked where you are going, saying you do not know. Second, you need to have understanding. Apostle Paul says he has learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation. Contentment is learnt. Do not be caught in the trap of ‘if only’ - if only I had more money, children, education or wealth.

Third, you must be committed. The drive you need to move from mediocrity to excellence requires commitment. Successful people are willing to do unpleasant, uncomfortable and inconvenient things that others are unwilling to do.

Fourth, you need to have compassion and love. To paraphrase 1st Corinthians 13:1-3, Even if you speak with the tongues of men and of angels; or have the gift of prophesy, understanding, knowledge and faith; or bestow all your goods to feed the poor and give your body to be burned; without love you are nothing.

Jesus said that our number one responsibility is to love God with all our hearts and our neighbours as we love ourselves. Love is a choice to care and be compassionate to someone else. Love determines how people perceive you and affects your relationships.

It makes you sensitive to the needs of others and how you can meet them. Fifth, you must have enthusiastic faith. American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm.” 

Sixth, commit to acts of service to others. According to Apostle Paul, we carry out the service of love for the Lord’s glory. Love is accompanied by actions that are geared toward meeting the needs of others. Seven, choose to have staying power. Apostle Paul did not consider quitting no matter how tough things got. He had tenacity, persistence and determination. He could not let anything discourage him.

“We are hard pressed on every side yet not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; and struck down but not destroyed.” (2nd Corinthians 4:8-9) Successful people have extraordinary staying power and believe that failure is not final. The master of success is simply the master of hanging on long enough.

 

Bishop David Muriithi

Founder & Overseer

House of Grace International Ministries