While many people will define success as making money, having a big house and driving the latest cars. Or having good relationships, lots of friends and an active social life. The Bible tells us the pathway to success is to commit our ways to the Lord—when we align our hopes and dreams to God’s Will, we can find our calling and true success. When we break down the idea of success a bit further, we find…

1. Success is in the Word 

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Joshua 1:8

Success and God’s Word are inextricably linked—you cannot have success without the Bible. In Psalm 1:2-3 we’re reminded to delight in the law of the Lord, mediating on it day and night. In this way, we will bear fruit and prosper in all that we do. Like Joshua, we must be wise and take heed to God’s Word—to recite His Word in our heart and to keep it’s truth forever on our lips and in our hearts. And finally, to observe all that God has written to us in our lives, for then we will prosper and succeed in whatsoever we do—to our benefit and to His glory.

2. Success is building God’s Kingdom, Not Our Own 

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:33

In Matthew 6, Jesus was encouraging people not to worry about what they would eat or wear or how they would survive; He taught that if they would put His Kingdom first, then He would take care of everything else. I found myself so wrapped up in my career or attaining the world’s view of “success”, that I had to remind myself of Jesus’ command to seek HIS Kingdom first. While there is nothing wrong with doing our best in our career or academically, we must be careful not to focus on our own success and forget about what matters most: advancing God’s Kingdom here on earth.

3. Success is being faithful with Your Gifts & Talents

Jesus told the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. In the parable, Jesus describes a man who goes on a journey, entrusting 3 servants with different amounts of money in his absence. While two of the servants worked to double the money, the other servant was lazy and fearful, and hid the money instead of producing more. 

It becomes clear that success is taking what God has given us and producing more. In fact, Jesus said in John 15:8, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father”. Whether we teach, lead, sing, draw or cook, God expects us to use what He’s given us to advance His Kingdom. We cannot let fear or laziness paralyse us from using our talents for His glory. Success is when Jesus tells us, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ [Matthew 25:23].