How to be a Success!

What does it mean to be successful? In our culture, it usually means "Making Money". However, in a Christian's life, success is not measured by how much money a person makes. A successful Christian is one who serves God to the best of their ability, and God is meeting all of their needs, and maybe even some of their wants. They will still have trouble in this life, but they also have the Lord Jesus to help them through that trouble. In most public schools, Christian values and righteous living are rarely taught. In some Christian schools, they don't teach things much better than in the public schools; however, in some, they do teach the importance of living a Christian lifestyle and when we do live close to the Lord, success will come! Let's look at the Holy Scriptures and see.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8

This is the only place in the Bible where the word "success" is used. The key to success: Meditate on God's laws (as found in the Bible) and do all that is written therein.

As young people, just getting started in life, if there were only one Scripture to live by, this would be one of the best. However, there are many more than just one, so we will go on to the only true authority that will bring success to you and all who will take heed and obey it.

Remember Jesus

Step one to being a successful Christian: Remember the Lord. That does not mean to have a passing thought of Him on occasion (i.e., "Oh Yeah, God. I remember Him!") It means to do the things He wants you to do, on a daily basis.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (i.e., when we grow old.) Ecclesiastes 12:1. Why? Because, if we don't remember God, this will be the outcome:

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

Do Good

Another key to success is doing good. When you are faced with the choice of doing what would be the most fun or enjoyable vs. doing something less fun, but right, make the choice to do good. Then give it all you've got, not doing it halfheartedly, and do it for Jesus. The Lord will reward you for this.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:17, 23-24.

When you are on your job, give your employer 100%, not to please the boss, but to please Jesus. Eventually, it will probably be noticed by your boss, and the Lord will give you favor in his or her eyes, too. Isaac Newton said this: "For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction."

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:7-10.

Sowing to the flesh means doing those things that the body enjoys, but that are not pleasing to the Lord. Things like drinking, using drugs, having sex outside of marriage, smoking, etc. These things make a person feel good at the moment, but afterwards that person must reap. What grows out of those actions? Corruption. Things that will rot your body, and ruin your life. Addictions, STD's, cancers, other health and mental problems, broken marriages, loss of jobs, loss of life. Does that sound like a recipe for success? I think not.

The Golden Rule:

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.

Treat others the way you want to be treated, and more often than not, you will get the best possible result.

Last but not Least: Work! Work! Work!

And work with all your might! Hard work, and lots of it, is necessary to be successful in anything you undertake.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Ecclesiastes 9:10.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured. Proverbs 27:18.

While you are young is the best time to work as much as you can, because when you are old you will not be able to do nearly as much. Hopefully, by that time you will have put back enough to sustain you when you get old.

Never labor to be rich; let God make you rich, if he so desires.

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. I Samuel 2:7.

Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Proverbs 23:4.

Why?

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I Timothy 6:9-12.

Conclusion

In a true Christian's life, the steps to success are

• Serving God
  
• Learning His Word
  
• Being a doer of God's Word (i.e., obedient to His will)
  
• Old-fashioned Hard Work
  

May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ bless you in every good work and in every good word.