Definition and Overview:
Success, from a biblical perspective, is often understood as achieving goals or fulfilling purposes that align with God's will. It is not merely about material wealth or social status but encompasses spiritual growth, obedience to God's commandments, and the fulfillment of one's God-given purpose.

Biblical Principles of Success:

1. Obedience to God:
Success in the Bible is closely tied to obedience to God's commandments. In Joshua 1:8 , it is written, "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." This verse emphasizes the importance of meditating on and adhering to God's Word as a foundation for success.

2. Trust in the Lord:
Trusting in God is a key component of biblical success. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the necessity of relying on God's wisdom rather than one's own understanding.

3. Diligence and Hard Work:
The Bible encourages diligence and hard work as pathways to success. Proverbs 13:4 states, "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied." This suggests that success is often the result of persistent effort and industriousness.

4. Seeking God's Kingdom:
True success is found in prioritizing God's kingdom. Matthew 6:33 instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This verse underscores the importance of focusing on spiritual priorities, with the assurance that God will provide for material needs.

5. Humility and Service:
Success in the biblical sense often involves humility and serving others. Jesus taught in Mark 10:43-45 , "But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." This teaching redefines success as serving others selflessly.

Examples of Biblical Success:

1. Joseph:
Joseph's life is a testament to success through faithfulness and integrity. Despite facing numerous adversities, Joseph remained faithful to God, which ultimately led to his rise to power in Egypt (Genesis 39-41).

2. Solomon:
Solomon is an example of success through wisdom. When God offered him anything he desired, Solomon chose wisdom, which led to prosperity and peace during his reign (1 Kings 3:5-14).

3. Nehemiah:
Nehemiah's success in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was a result of prayer, planning, and perseverance. His leadership and reliance on God were crucial to the project's completion (Nehemiah 1-6).

Warnings Against Misplaced Success:

1. Materialism:
The Bible warns against equating success with material wealth. In Luke 12:15 , Jesus cautions, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

2. Pride:
Pride is a barrier to true success. Proverbs 16:18 warns, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Humility is essential for maintaining a successful relationship with God.

3. Worldly Success:
The pursuit of worldly success can lead one away from God. In Mark 8:36 , Jesus asks, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" This question challenges believers to consider the eternal implications of their pursuits.

Conclusion:
The biblical concept of success is multifaceted, emphasizing spiritual growth, obedience, and service over material gain. By aligning one's life with God's will and seeking His kingdom first, believers can achieve true success that is both fulfilling and eternal.Romans 14:4
Who are you that judge another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.
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1 Chronicles 22:11
Now, my son, the LORD be with you; and prosper you, and build the house of the LORD your God, as he has said of you.
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Genesis 39:2
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
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Genesis 24:40
And he said to me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father's house:
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Chapter xxxix
... the impression that the projects of the past as well as those which were even then
passing through Joseph's hands, all gave evidence of being successful. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxix.htm

A Wise Minister Will be Successful.
... But the amount of wisdom is to be decided, "other things being equal," by the
number of cases in which he is successful in converting sinners. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xi a wise minister.htm

The Outbreak at Benares.
... This was startling news, as our house lay in the direct line between the jail and
the city, and, in the event of the attack being successful, we should be the ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xvii the outbreak at.htm

The Observations Contained in the Preceding ChapterMake it ...
... that he can never be surprised;" and he adds, that he never knew a man faithfully
to pursue the plan of study he proposed, without being successful at last. ...
/.../hints on extemporaneous preaching/chapter iii the observations contained.htm

How to Become Fishers of Men
... "But," says one, "I have always heard that Christ's ministers are to be faithful,
but that they cannot be sure of being successful." Yes, I have heard that ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/how to become fishers of.htm

A Successful Man of Affairs.
... principles, illustrated by Joseph's life, are true to all time: (1) The only successful
way to ... Instead of being an honor he has become a disgrace to his nation ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study vii a successful man.htm

The Work of Regeneration.
... In regeneration we do not receive a new being, ego, or person, but our nature ... The
successful grafting of a budding shoot of the cultivated grape upon the wild ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxii the work of regeneration.htm

The Christian Training of Children.
... For even care such as this is often far from being successful; some of the children
turning out vain and puffed up with conceit, others peevish and discontented ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/ix the christian training of.htm

Some More Particular Directions for Maintaining Continual ...
... our dedication to God, declaring our continued repeated resolution of being devoted
to ... the need we have or the divine blessing to make our labors successful. ...
/.../chapter xix some more particular.htm

Social Recreation.
... a sort of ceremonial inclined plane for such visitors, which being lubricated with ...
Dr. Holmes and his "inclined plane" may have been successful with the ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/vii social recreation.htm

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