Success Defined
…it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
I Corinthians 4:2
As I write this, both the men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments are down to the Final Four. For those teams that made it, the pressure to get there was enormous and the disappointment for those who failed to get there was profound.
The reason why is that everyone wants to be a winner. In fact, we live in a culture that idolizes success and demonizes failure.
We live in a culture that idolizes success and demonizes failure.
I’ve never met anybody who doesn’t want to be successful, but very few people have actually defined success for themselves. So, by default, they buy into the culture’s definition of success rather than God’s definition of success.
In the Kingdom, the outcome isn’t the issue. Success isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about honoring God whether you’re in the red or the black. Being obedient whether in victory or defeat
In short, success is not a matter of fruitfulness but faithfulness.
In the Kingdom, success is not a matter of fruitfulness but faithfulness.
Success in Scripture
The 11th chapter of Hebrews is one of the most amazing chapters in the Bible. Often called “God’s Hall of Fame,” it’s an unparalleled celebration of faith. But it’s also a clear definition of success.
After a detailed account of some of the biblical heavyweights such Noah, Abraham, Joseph, and Moses, the writer adds…
“I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” (Hebrews 11:32-34)
So far, so good, right? Unfortunately, the chapter doesn’t end there. Here’s the rest of the story
There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated…” (Hebrews 11:35-37)
Here’s the question: Were only those individuals mentioned in vs. 32-34 successful? Or were those noted in vs. 35-37 successful as well?
Success in Congo
Their story reminds me of the account of J.W. Tucker. On November 24, 1964, Tucker was captured by Congolese rebels. With his hands tied behind his back, he was brutally beaten. Then he and his compatriots were thrown into a crocodile-infested river to be eaten alive.
It wasn’t an uncalculated risk that led J.W. Tucker into the Congo during a civil war. He counted the cost with his missionary friend, Morris Potts. Potts tried to convince Tucker not to go. “If you go in,” he pleaded, “You won’t come out.” To which Tucker responded, “God didn’t tell me I had to come out. He only told me I had to go in.”
And so he did. And so he died.
Like the heroes in the book of Hebrews, it seemed as if J.W. Tucker was unsuccessful…that he had in fact lost everything. Yet, by God’s definition of success, Tucker was not a loser but a winner.
J.W. Tucker was faithful. And though he may not have been vindicated or rewarded in this world, you need to know that he was a considered a Hall of Famer in the next world.
Success in Your Life
Your story may not be as dramatic as those who were put to death by stoning, sawn in two, or killed by the sword. Or eaten alive by crocodiles.
But it can be just as successful. As you are faithful in the stewardship of your life, in the courageous obedience that you exhibit, and in the Kingdom sacrifices you make, you too will make the heaven who’s who. And your reward will echo for all eternity.
As you are faithful in the stewardship of your life, in the courageous obedience that you exhibit, and in the Kingdom sacrifices you make, you too can be successful. And your reward will echo for all eternity.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to right-size what success is. While I do want to be fruitful with life, even more, I want to be faithful. May I not get discouraged when I consider those times it seems that I lost. Rather, help me to see what it means to win.
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