In Search of Success

We all aspire to be successful— as parents, as community leaders, as spiritual leaders. When that success comes how do we deal with it?  

There are three occasions in the Bible that seem to codify man’s response to success. There is jealousy— resentment of any attempt to share the limelight.  There is covetousness— dissatisfaction and envy of another’s limelight. There is false humility— reticence to accept the limelight and celebrating an undefined focus. Then there is unequivocal acceptance and attribution—  confident, public, acknowledgement of success. 

King Saul and David were returning victorious from war and the people came out in their thousands to celebrate them. The trumpets filled the air with pomp and the choirs sang, ““Saul has slain his thousands, And David his ten thousands.”” 1 Samuel 18: 7. 

These words awakened jealousy in Saul. How dare they share his praise? This seething jealousy resulted in Saul becoming a depressed, ill-tempered, murderous man who because of his self-centeredness and hate, lost the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Then there was Absalom who as the son of the king, was dissatisfied with his position. He broodingly stood in the silent Valley of Kings (today’s Hall of Fame!) and determined to have, by any means, what his father had. Absalom’s unchecked covetousness resulted in hateful rebellion and murderous plots to replace his father. He died trying!

Gideon is an exemplar of false modesty. He too returned victorious from battle to the acclaim and celebration of the people. Demurely he refused their praise and their offer of kingship. However, in celebration he built an image to commemorate the event. His ambivalence and vagueness misled the people and in time they began to worship the image as the source of success. 

“But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you. Then Gideon said to them, “. . .each of you would give me the earrings from his plunder. . . Gideon used all this to make an ephod, which he put in his hometown of Ophrah. All the Israelites prostituted themselves to it by worshiping it there. It became a snare to Gideon and his family.” Judges 8: 23, 27. 

The fourth exemplar comes from a time before these men. Abram returning victorious from war, stood in the Valley of the Kings and unequivocally refused to ascribe his success to chance or earthly alliances. Turning to the representative of God, Melchizedek, he gave full praise to the God of heaven and earth and gave a tithe in thanksgiving for His leading and protection. 

Into which of these camps do we fall? Fuming because someone is stealing the limelight? Whining because we are not receiving enough limelight?  Half-heartedly accepting the limelight and celebrating a vague source of our success? Or do we confidently accept the limelight giving full-throated praise to God for our success? 

When next we celebrate success, as well we should, let’s pay attention to the camp that we occupy. A full-throated, unmistakable praise of our Father God is the best way to go. It pleases Him and it keeps us grounded even in the roar of pomp and praise. 

Today’s Goal: To confidently acknowledge my abilities and successes and clearly acknowledge  God as the source.