Ah! The picture of success! Exactly what is the picture of success? Is it the wherewithal to comfortably afford a large luxurious home? Is it possessing the finest cars and clothes, extensive travel to exotic destinations and more money than you and your children can spend for ten generations? The dictionary defines success as “a favorable outcome”. This definition deserves some careful examination.

By this definition one can argue that acquiring wealth and possessions is a great example of success. Because what is unfavorable about possessing riches and luxuries? Wouldn’t any sane person want these things if they could acquire them? But let’s apply the same logic to a slightly different objective endeavoring to achieve “a favorable outcome”.

Take someone that gained riches, luxury and possessions through various criminal enterprises and never got caught. Using this logic they would be deemed very successful. After all, isn’t this “a favorable outcome” for them since they are free to enjoy their wealth? But let’s be reasonable, is this truly success? As you will see, the scriptures speak of a different, better, “favorable outcome”. But first let’s look at what Jesus taught concerning amassing wealth.

Luke Chapter 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

A key meaning in this scripture is in verse 21 concerning “rich toward God”. Remember, the riches and possession of Abraham, Issac and Jacob? And don’t forget about Job. They all possessed exceptional wealth. But were they foolish as the man in the parable above? No, they weren’t. The scripture testifies they were rich toward God.
But what does “rich toward God” mean? To gain this understanding let’s once again consult the teachings of Jesus.

Matthew Chapter 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Confused? How is treasure laid up in heaven? Is this done by giving money to church? If not, how is it laid up? Again, Jesus taught this also.

Matthew 19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

So, it looks as if there is more to success than simply “a favorable outcome”.

Can you be considered a success while living in a one bedroom apartment in a seedy area of town? How is and how should success be measured?

Many will measure success by economic gain and material wealth. Others may cleverly and more concisely argue that success is merely setting goals and reaching them. Which viewpoint is right? Are they both right or are they both wrong? To the surprise of many, the scriptures speak on success as they do all aspects of life. Let’s first look at measuring success by wealth.

So you have worked hard and smart and have a fortune in real estate, stocks, bonds and business investments. You are independently wealthy and really have no need of working another day in your life. Many will call this the “picture of success”. What does the scripture say of this picture?

Matthew Chapter 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Obviously, the pursuit of financial success is not true success according to the scriptures. So does true success simply reside in simply setting goals and reaching them? For example, a musician hones his craft from a child endeavoring to compose and play music that parallel’s the greatest composers and musicians that have ever lived. Without thought to financial reward, this musician accomplishes this goal and writes and performs the most beautiful and provoking compositions of his time. Certainly this is and example of the picture of ‘True’ success, right? Well, let’s consult the wisdom of the scriptures concerning accomplishments and reaching goals.

Ecclesiastes Chapter 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun.

So, if financial success is not true success and obtaining goals is not true success, what exactly is true success? The Holy Scriptures brings that out also.

Joshua Chapter 1:8 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.

So, stated previously, the dictionary defines success as “a favorable outcome”. And from the scriptures mentioned here, it’s clear that success comes through obeying the Most High God of Israel.