Success. A word that so many seek diligently yet so few are able to pinpoint by definition. We raise our children to one day be successful, we go to work day after day so we can maintain success, but in the end what does it mean to be successful?
Some would say that success is directly reflected by how much wealth you have, however others would argue success is found by living a good life. As a Christian, where do we find success and what does it look like, practically speaking?
Growing up in the West comes with a great amount of blessings. With all the blessings we live in, it seems that many of life’s “curses” are brought by ourselves. We live in an extremely hedonistic culture where all we seek is physical pleasure, lasting comfort and riches beyond measure. A great deal of people would look at the world’s richest and say that they are what successful looks like, but what would God say?
Like us on Facebook
From the Scriptures we see that Christ says it is extremely difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. It is not impossible but it is difficult. Money itself is not evil yet we frequently dictate “money is the root of all evil.” Why? Not because money has a mind of its own but because we depend on money rather than God. Where God says live radical, money says live comfortable. Where God says live generously, money says live selfishly.
As Christians how are we to raise our children to be successful without them being blinded by the pleasures of the world? No parent wishes to see his child be financially insecure however what needs to be asked is what is the primary concern?
Do you put your child’s future financial security above his spiritual life? Where is the time being spent that shows your child you mean what you say when you tell him to live a life for the glory of God? Are those words just a mask when the real focus is on the perfect education or the perfect job? Again, a stable income is a blessing to hold, but a life lived for God’s glory is a treasure none can take or a gem that will ever fade.
Time is money – quite literally. Payrolls are often based off of an hourly pay rate. The hours we work, we gain money and the hours we do not work, we do not earn money. Time also is an indication of love.
Some parents cannot help working the fifteen hour work shifts or having to be away more than they desire – to those parents I commend your efforts in providing for your families. To the parents who work far more than needed I encourage to spend that time at home with your families when possible. Go out and volunteer with your church to set the godly example of what living for Christ looks like to your children.
Success is a word greatly influenced connotatively rather than denotatively. We yearn to be successful based upon a personal definition so that we may create a place in life to live up to. Instead of living on a linear path to success, live radically and live willingly. God does not have anyone on a path that one day we can be comfortable in. In our discomfort we are prompted to excel and go beyond our previous measure and that is where success can be found. Living Christ-like on the patch to sanctification, accepting financial income to be important but not primary in life and to love God and love people is what success can be defined as for a Christian. My goal is to be successful, not perfect and by God’s guidance and graciousness, I am.
