We love winners, don’t we? Those ‘rags to riches’ stories inspire us. When the ‘ordinary’ kid we knew from our town goes pro in his sport we all feel a little pride. Sometimes we describe a person who has reached high office or gained great wealth without the benefit of a pedigree, private school, or powerful connections as a ‘self-made man.’
It is appropriate to recognize that accomplishment in that person who works hard, endures the difficult times, and works on skills that carry her to the pinnacle of success– But we also need to know that nobody is a self-made person! There are always people in the background – parents who sacrificed to make an education possible, a friend who provided just the right encouragement at a critical moment, a spouse who shared the tough times, and God who blesses.
There is a real potential for danger when success comes our way. The Proverb says “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:17) Jesus told a story of a man met with success, whose crops were bountiful. Instead of thanksgiving, the man concluded that it was time to reward himself – “Take life easy. Eat, drink, and merry!” He forgot charity, humility, and gratitude!
How do you handle
success?
Success can bring more spiritual hazard our way than disappointment or failure!
It is true! . When we are knocked down, beat up or broken we are much more
likely to reach for help, to know our need and readily accept counsel. But,
when we are winning, the temptation is to congratulate ourselves for our
brilliance and to become proud.
The wise person understands that his success, in whatever
field it may be, calls for humility. Another
Proverb reminds us -"When pride
comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs
11:2, NIV) Success can fill us with entitlement;
“I am so grand, everyone owes me.”
That grandiosity has destroyed many, sabotaging them at the height of
their success.
Consider these examples-
*A person builds a great company and begins to think he is above needed the
counsel of others and it comes crashing down.
*A politician reaches the office he has desired for decades and is brought down
by corruption because he thinks he ‘deserves’ the perks offered to him.
*A Christian seeks the Lord, walks faithfully with him, and is blessed with
prosperity which becomes a means of buying more pleasure and abandoning service
of the very God who blessed him!
Success can be a real blessing if we remember our Source!
Those who understand the truth that God loves to give good gifts to His children and that with those gifts comes greater responsibility and accountability keep their balance in life. They remember the principle that we are blessed to be a blessing.
Have you enjoyed the rich blessings of the Lord?
Then, thank Him!
There is no need to hide your success.
But remember, it is not about you.
Take this Word with
you today. It is the inspired counsel of God.
“Teach those who are
rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so
unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for
our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in
good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with
others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good
foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.” (1
Timothy 6)
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