Success & Significance

“Success is measured by finishing the race AND completing the call.” Tyrone Daniel

“Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them.”
Hudson Taylor

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston S. Churchill

“Finishing well brings more glory to God than beginning well.” Woodrow Kroll

In worldly pursuits, success is often defined by accomplishments, recognition, and material wealth. However, in our Christian walk, success is not measured by external factors but rather in faithfully fulfilling God’s purpose and bringing glory to His name. In the same way, significance is determined by the impact we have on the lives of others and the eternal value of our walk in obedience. In this blog post, we will explore how to measure success and significance in our walk, drawing from the wisdom and guidance of the Bible.

Faithfully Sowing and Watering
In Mark 4:26-27, Jesus uses the analogy to illustrate the Kingdom of God “As if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.” In 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul says, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” So too are we called to diligently and faithfully sow and water the seeds of the Gospel, then trust and believe that God will bring growth as we are obedient to Him. Our success is not found in recognition, numerical growth, or any other worldly metric but rather in our obedience and faithfulness in what God asks of us. Although our efforts are essential, what is a humbling truth is the fact that our efforts are secondary to God’s divine power. Irrespective of the visible growth or immediate results, true success requires acknowledging God’s sovereignty, faithfully fulfilling our role, and trusting in His ability to bring about the desired outcomes.

Obedience and Faithfulness
In Joshua 1:8, God instructs Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” In Luke 16:10, Jesus teaches, “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.” In Matthew 25:21, Jesus shares a parable about the faithful servant to explain that God rewards faithfulness, regardless of the scale or visibility of the task, and our commitment to excellence in the small things prepares us for greater responsibilities and blessings in the future. Therefore, together these three Scriptures teach that our success is directly linked to our commitment to God’s Word and our wholehearted obedience to His commands as we bring glory to His name. Moreover, our commitment, whether in small or large tasks, reveals our true character when we exhibit faithfulness in all things. While numerical growth is an encouraging sign, the emphasis should be on the transformation and impact on the lives of others. Certainly, no task in the Kingdom is insignificant in the eyes of God when it proceeds from obedience and faithfulness whether it is preaching to thousands or serving in a small community.

Impact Through Discipleship
One of the most powerful indicators of success is the genuine change and spiritual growth experienced through transformed lives, motivated through investing in personal discipleship. Paul understood the value of such relationships as he writes in 2 Corinthians 3:2-3, “You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” Yet, it is not about the quantity but the quality of transformation and relationships. Paul instructs Timothy, “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV). Through discipleship, pouring into the lives of others, teaching them the truth of God’s Word to equip them in becoming more Christ-like, deepening their relationship with God, and in their call in God. However, our impact is not solely dependent on our efforts or abilities but rather as we recognize and rely on God’s power and trust in His ability to bring about genuine change. In Ephesians 3:20-21, Paul writes, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Cultivating a Faithful Spirit
In Colossians 3:23-24, Paul encourages believers, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Thus, when we view everything we do as an act of service to God, we are motivated to be faithful in every task in devotion to Him. Enduring faithfulness in small tasks leads to consistency and longevity in our walk and by faithfully attending to the seemingly insignificant aspects of our service, we develop habits of discipline, perseverance, and diligence. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” Even when our efforts go unnoticed by others, we can take comfort in the assurance that our faithfulness matters to God and that He sees and rewards our labor. Moreover, our faithfulness has a ripple effect impacting those around us because as others witness our dedication, they too are encouraged to emulate, creating a culture of dedication and excellence.

Faithful Stewardship
To measure success and significance, we must identify and be faithful stewards of the resources and gifts God has entrusted to us. In 1 Peter 4:10, Peter encourages believers, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Paul emphasizes the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ: “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.” Success is not about hoarding or misusing our talents, but using them selflessly for the benefit of others and, most especially, for the advancement of God’s kingdom. Faithful stewardship demonstrates our love for God and our commitment to fulfilling His purposes and our selfless service to others because we understand the eternal significance of our actions. While worldly success may be temporary, the impact we make for God’s kingdom has lasting value. Faithful stewardship encompasses more than just our gifts; it also involves the responsible management of the resources entrusted to us, such as our time, finances, relationships, and opportunities. Faithfulness in managing even the smallest resources reveals our integrity and readiness to handle greater responsibilities in God’s service. Finally, in Colossians 3:17, Paul reminds us, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Thus, gratitude is an essential aspect of faithful stewardship and we are called to manage these blessings with thankfulness recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God. As we cultivate a heart of gratitude and acknowledge God’s provision and faithfulness in every aspect of our stewardship, we enhance success in the Kingdom.

Eternal Perspective
While responsible management of resources is vital, it is not about hoarding wealth but an eternal perspective. Jesus encourages believers, in Matthew 6:20, to “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Therefore, significance is found in investing our time, energy, and resources in activities that have eternal value rather than seeking temporary recognition or worldly achievements. Worldly recognition and accomplishments, while appealing, are fleeting and subject to decay and loss. In 2 Corinthians 4:18, Paul encourages believers to fix their eyes “not on what is seen, but on what is unseen since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions His disciples, saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And in Mark 10:45, Jesus teaches, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” In Revelation 2:10, Jesus encourages the church in Smyrna, saying, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Measuring success and significance in ministry requires a shift in our perspective. Therefore, let us remember the words of Paul in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” May we seek to please God and faithfully serve Him, knowing that true success and significance are found in His approval alone.