Finding True Success in Life's Real Wealth

What Matters According to God's Plan?

Have any of you ever been to Naples, Florida? It has big houses, cars, everything, and lots of what some would call “glitz.” Walking through Naples recently made us think about how we define success. Is it what we accumulate? Is it the size of our house or bank account? Is it the car we drive or how we measure up to our neighbors?

Some might define it that way, but it prompted us to ask: What does REAL success look like in our lives and yours?      

We all get caught up in the “world” and are bombarded on social media with what success should be or look like for us. But let’s step back and ask this question? What is God’s definition of success in our lives?

I bet we have all played the game of Monopoly at some time in our lives. Winning the game (success) is buying all the property you can, putting up as many hotels as possible, and collecting as much money as possible. But, in the end, it all goes back into the box! It is the same with all the things we think define success for us from a worldly perspective. Sadly, in the end, they all return to the box. Success does NOT come from earthly achievements.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy and with thieves break in and steal. But store your treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do NOT destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.” ~ Matthew 6:19-20

All those beautiful cars, houses, and “stuff” we accumulate all return to the box. What lasts is how we live our life according to God’s plan. How have we poured into others? How humble have we been? How have we invested in meaningful relationships? Men, it does not matter how much we own - the cars – the house – the cash. What matters is how we live and love others. That is how God will measure us. He could care less about the car you drive or the size of your house. Have you ever read THE DASH, a poem by Linda Ellis? This poem looks at what we want, the “dash” between the beginning and end of our lives. 

“Instead of chasing the worldly definition of success, should we all slow down enough to consider what is real and true? Ask ourselves what God wants from us. Should we be less quick to anger and show appreciation more? Love the people in our lives like we have never loved before?” ~ A verse from The Dash.

The Dash was written to challenge us to think about how we want to be remembered. What will our legacy be? How will the “dash” between the beginning and end of our lives be defined? Not by the “stuff” we accumulated but by how we lived our lives as God designed us to do.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23.

As we head into this week, can we focus on these Galatians verses and practice them in our lives and relationships? We are assured that eternal success will follow if we do that well. It will NOT go back in the box. Your “DASH” will make God smile!