WHAT IS SUCCESS? How do you define success? money, a large house, fine clothes, a nice car, expensive jewelry… Many define success based on their accumulation of wealth. Is possession a true measure of success?

In the Bible, God has provides us with practical guidance on how to live above the stresses of life, and we are given instructions on how to manage the resources He has given us.

In this series,

From a biblical perspective, we are looking at how to effectively manage the resources God has given us while prioritizing What Really Matters.

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Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, how we look at success is often different than how you see success. Help us to see success from your eyes and guide us in such a way that we successfully fulfill your divine purpose for us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen 

Most of us want to live a successful, happy life.  But if we define success from how society views success, we are headed down a road of heartaches and disappointments. For we are living in a world in which Disaster can happen at a moment’s notice. So, if our happiness or success depends on a set thing, we can expect sadness and disappointment.

Paul in Colossians 2:23 and 24 redirect our thinking about success in that success comes from not doing things from man’s perspective but from God’s perspective. 

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

So, what is success? The idea of success is not the same for everyone.  For instance, Joseph, one of the sons of Jacob, went from being in prison to being a manager in the king’s palace. Certainly, we would say he was successful.  But on the other hand, there was a man called John the Baptist who lived in Jesus’ day. He even baptized Jesus. Yet he went from prison to the grave. Was John successful? It depends on how you define success.

In this week’s series, we will examine the idea of success from the perspective of managing God’s resources, especially as it relates to money and finances, since we can all agree that money is a big part of our lives regardless of how we feel about it.

Therefore, as Paul has expressed in Colossians 3:23 and 24, we need to manage what God has given us not in how we humans see it but in how the one who is the giver sees it.

So, we will look at some practical steps for managing money wisely. We will also look at some of the common pitfalls that come with money management and how to avoid them.

Once a person moves from under the roof of their parents and into adulthood, the issue of providing for basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter becomes a major concern.

However, Ecclesiastes 12:1 indicates that even before our basic needs are met, we should remember our creator. That is, we should put God First, even before our own basic needs.

1 Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”: (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Why should we put God first?

Because when we put Him first, He will take care of all our needs. This is exactly what Jesus is saying in Mathew 6:33,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). (Split)

But there are many who are no longer young adults who fail to choose to serve God when they were young.

Is it too late for them to make the right decision and learn how to manage the money and resources God has given them? Absolutely not! We can learn. It is never too late to learn.

Recall from the previous week’s lesson, Lesson 6, Laying up Treasure in Heaven, we find in Genesis 28:20–22 that Jacob, In his learning, made some important life decisions, both spiritually and financially.

20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,

21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.

22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” (Genesis 28:20–22)

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Genesis 28:13 tells us that God introduced himself to Jacob in a dream as

“ ‘the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac’ ” (Gen. 28:13, NKJV).

Then Jacob made a promise to God. As part of his promise, Jacob says in  Genesis 28:21, “The Lord shall be my God ” (Gen. 28:21, NKJV)

What is significant is that once Jacob made his spiritual and financial commitment to God. Then we read in Genesis 29:9–20 about Jacob’s encounter with his future wife Rachel. To get a better understanding of what God did for Jacob after He made his spiritual and financial commitment to Him, read Genesis 28 and Genesis 29:9-20.

First, Jacob promises to serve God with his whole heart and all his money.

The one thing this story tells us is that it is best to make our spiritual decision and our life career before committing to marriage.

In other words, we should make our spiritual and financial commitment to God and decide on a career or what we want to do in life before we get married.

To aid in having a successful marriage, here are some questions that one should ask themselves.

(1) Does the person I want to marry love God? Is this person a committed Christian?

(2) What type of job or work will he or she do? Will this person be a teacher, a nurse, a lawyer, or whatever?

(3) What type of life will the two of you have together?

(4) What is their level of education? How much education does this person have?

(5) What type of financial obligations does the person have? How much debt will be brought into the marriage? And are you willing to be responsible for paying their existing debts?

Moreover, an important rule about marriage is found in 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15. Though it doesn’t guarantee a good marriage, it does increase your chances of having one.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? (2 Corinthians 6:14-15)

You see, how can two work in harmony when they are each going in opposite directions?

God made from the man a woman, to be a companion and helpmeet for him, to be one with him, to cheer, encourage, and bless him, he in his turn to be her strong helper. All who enter into matrimonial relations with a holy purpose—the husband to obtain the pure affections of a woman’s heart, the wife to soften and improve her husband’s character and give it completeness—fulfill God’s purpose for them.—The Adventist Home, p. 99. 

In putting first things first, in terms of success is that we place God first on our list and then make a financial commitment to him. But it does not stop there, there is work for you to do.

Work? Yes, hard work. Find out more on Day 3: The Blessing of Work

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@ Adventistgiving.org

my local Church:

Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church 7902 Wheatly Street Houston, TX 77088

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