God’s Definition of Success
God has a definition of success that is different from our definition of success. We tend to define our success based on our net worth. The greater your net worth, the more successful you are deemed to be and vice versa. As a result, most of us strive to grow our net worth at whatever cost.
Now let us look at God’s definition of success:
After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’
His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master’s happiness.
Matthew 25:19-21
Contrast this with the master’s attitude towards the other servant:
Then the man who had received the one talent came… I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you. His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!…Take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents…And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 25:24-30
Let us look at the above mirror in the light of John 15.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last…
John 15:1, 8, 16
God’s definition of success is fruitfulness! Fruitfulness in the work He has given you to do. Jesus confirms this in the below mirrors:
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
John 4:34
I have brought glory to you on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.
John 17:4
As far as the Father is concerned, Jesus is successful because He was fruitful with the work that was given to Him.
The same can be said of Apostle Paul who made the following statements:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
Acts 20:24
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day- and not only me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
Your Turn:
Jesus and Apostle Paul were resolute in their minds. They knew they were here on assignment and they were determined to complete their assignments. Their faithfulness in the work given to them is still yielding fruit till today!
Millions are accepting salvation and being reconciled to the Father because ofJesus’ faithfulness.
Millions are learning how to walk in Christ because of the teachings of Paul.
Jesus gives you the formula for attaining fruitfulness:
I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5
As you grow your relationship with the Lord, He will reveal to you what He wants you to do…and as you are obedient to His instructions, you will bear fruit and can be certain of being told, “ Well done, good and faithful servant!”
You can start with this:
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
John 15:16-17