What Determines Success?

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.

Joshua 1:8

Successful people are often asked, "What is the secret of your success?" Those in the world system often list education, position, ambition, talent, power, and money as secrets of success. Many books have been written on the subject, but the true principles of success are revealed in the Bible.

The foundation of faith identified in Hebrews is a necessary part of the spiritual foundation that is a prerequisite in order to apply Biblical success principles in your life and ministry.

Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.  And this will we do, if God permit.   Hebrews 6:1-3

In God's Kingdom, success is 

"the maximum use of one's gifts and abilities within 

the range of responsibilities given by God".  

You are successful when you properly use your spiritual resources for the work of God.

Success in God's Kingdom differs from worldly standards of success. The world views success materially. God views it spiritually. In God's Kingdom there is a different standard that defines success. The world sets its own standard. The standard set by God is called "faithfulness".

This is a different basis of success. The basis of success in the world is changing and temporal. In God's Kingdom, the basis of success is stable and eternal because it is based on revealed truth. There are different motives for success. In the world, people are motivated by greed, pride, and the desire for fame. Believers are motivated to succeed for God's glory.

There is a different model of success in God's Kingdom. The world looks to rich and powerful men. Our model is the Lord, Jesus Christ. There is a different goal of success. Money, power and position are stressed as worldly goals. The goal in God's Kingdom is Christ-likeness.

Success in God's Kingdom emphasizes giving instead of getting, serving instead of position, humbleness instead of pride, weakness instead of power. The world views success in terms of what you are doing. God views it in terms of what you are. Excellence of character is stressed rather than excellence of achievement.

In God's Kingdom, success is not measured by what you are. It is measured by what you are compared to what you could be. Success is not measured by what you do for God. It is measured by what you do compared to what you could be doing.

God wants you to be successful in in His Kingdom. He wants you to accomplish the purpose and plans He has for you. Spiritual "secrets of success" are not really secret. They are openly declared in God's Word. They are only "secret" because people refuse to seek and find them.  Here are some very important basic principles:

            Ø     HAVE A PROPER HEART ATTITUDE

Success begins with the hidden man of the heart:

. . . For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.   1 Samuel 16:7

A proper heart attitude includes love, humility, obedience, a serving spirit, and true holiness.

            Ø     KNOW THE SOURCE OF SUCCESS

It is not what you know, but who you know that makes you successful. Relationship is based on who you know, not what you know. All of life is based on relationship. Who you know (Jesus) not what you know gets you to Heaven.  Knowing the Lord results in success:

Thus saith the Lord, let not the wise man glory in His wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth...  Jeremiah 9:23-24

The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits, and they that understand among the people shall instruct many.   Daniel 11:32-33

             Ø     SEEK THE LORD

Seeking the Lord means waiting on Him by inquiring of Him, praying, and studying the Word in order to know Him and do His will. The benefits of seeking the Lord were proven by a godly king of Judah called Hezekiah. He sought God and this is the reason for his success:

And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.  And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek His God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.   2 Chronicles 31:20-21

It is also said of  king Uzziah:

And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.   2 Chronicles 26:5

It is important to seek the Lord because God desires to reveal His plans and purposes to leaders. 

Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7

            Ø     MEDITATE ON THE WORD

Success is promised to those who meditate on the Word of God. The Lord told 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.  Joshua 1:8

"Meditate" means "to think about, dwell on, recall, and study in detail". One who meditates believes God has spoken to man, that the Bible is a record of what He has said, and that God's Word is true.

             Ø     OBEY THE WORD

It is not just meditation that results in success, it is also obedience to the Word...

. . .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.  Joshua 1:8

Before Solomon became the King of Israel, David gave him this counsel:

Now, my son, the Lord be with thee; and prosper thee, and build the house of the Lord thy God, as He hath said of thee. Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God.  1 Chronicles 22:11-12

Every commandment in God's Word is important. Keeping these commandments will make you successful.

Not only must you personally meditate on and obey the Word of God, you must elevate it to its proper place of authority.  Nehemiah restored the authority of God's Word in Nehemiah 8:1-8. The reforms Nehemiah made would not have lasted apart from the authority of God's Word.

A lifestyle based on the authority of the Word will always cause you to be successful.

(Biblical Studies)

07/21/14
12/03/15
01/25/17
07/17/20