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True Success

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Jacob Chen Zhe
Jacob Chen ZheJune 1, 2025

This is a broad topic, but one thing is certain: the modern definition of success—measured by wealth, power and fame—is not the biblical one.

True success begins with salvation. A person must first put their trust in Jesus, crossing over from death to life before talking about anything else. No matter how much success one achieves in this world, without Christ, they will face judgment, be found wanting, and never see the light of life again.

After salvation, success is found in knowing God, walking with Him, and loving Him with all one's heart. Such a person may hold an ordinary job, earn a modest income, and live without luxury or fame. Yet, they possess something far greater—all kinds of treasures in Christ that this world can never offer.

Warnings

Proverbs 14:12

12There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Psalm 49:16-17

16Don’t be afraid when a man is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 17for when he dies he will carry nothing away. His glory won’t descend after him.

1 Samuel 16:6-7

6When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

‪True success begins with salvation

Romans 6:23

23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:36

36One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Luke 10:20

20Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Mark 8:36-38

36For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37For what will a man give in exchange for his life? 38For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

True success is found in spiritual maturity

Jeremiah 9:23-24

23The LORD says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches. 24But let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for I delight in these things,” says the LORD.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

12Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13to keep the LORD’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?

Micah 6:8

8He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the LORD require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 1:1-3

1Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; 2but his delight is in the LORD’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.

Mark 10:42-45

42Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. 44Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all. 45For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Philippians 3:7-9

7However, I consider those things that were gain to me as a loss for Christ. 8Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be a loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith,

Colossians 2:2-3

2That their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

Hebrews 11:24-26

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time, 26considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

Illustrations

The Parable of the Bags of Gold (Matthew 25:14-30)

14“For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them.
15To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.
16Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
17In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two.
18But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
19“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them.
20He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’
21“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
22“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’
23“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
24“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter.
25I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
26“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter.
27You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest.
28Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.
30Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Daniel did not cling to his high position, but willingly risked his life to honor God (Daniel 6:10-23)

10When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his room toward Jerusalem) and he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did before.
11Then these men assembled together, and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God.
12Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king’s decree: “Haven’t you signed a decree that every man who makes a petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered, “This thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn’t alter.”
13Then they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, doesn’t respect you, O king, nor the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14Then the king, when he heard these words, was very displeased, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored until the going down of the sun to rescue him.
15Then these men assembled together to the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you.”
17A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting. No musical instruments were brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions.
20When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”
21Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
22My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me, because innocence was found in me before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
23Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Abraham’s faith is his righteousness, also his success (Romans 4:18-22)

18Against hope, Abraham in hope believed, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, “So will your offspring be.”
19Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
20Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn’t waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God,
21and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was also able to perform.
22Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.”

The arrogant and evildoers may prosper for a time, but they are destined for destruction (Psalm 73:1-28)

1Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.
3For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
4For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.
5They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.
6Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.
7Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
8They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.
9They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.
10Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.
11They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”
12Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.
13Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,
14For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.
15If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.
16When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—
17until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.
18Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.
19How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.
20As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.
21For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.
22I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.
23Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.
24You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.
25Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.
26My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.
28But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, the world is full of loud and distracting voices that pull Christians away from pursuing true success—success that can only be found in You.

Grant us, Lord, the eye of a dove, that we may fix our gaze on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

When our peers chase after worldly success—seeking greater wealth, power, or fame—living lives that in ignorance of God and eternity, may you grant us a steadfast heart, anchored in your word, grounded in faith, devoted to obedience, and overflowing with love for you.

Lord, in you alone we find all the heavenly treasures that far surpass anything this world can offer. Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen!

亲爱的天父，我们生活在一个浮躁的世界里，这世界里的各种声音都在吸引基督徒偏离追求真正的成功，就是按照你的心意来定义的成功。

父啊，求你给我们鸽子的眼睛，让我们定睛于耶稣，我们信心的创始者和完成者。

当我们的同辈在追逐世上的成功，渴望更多的财富、权力或名声，活在对神和永恒无所谓的心态中时，求你赐给我们一颗坚定的心，扎根于你的话语，唯独渴慕你，并全心全意来爱你。

主啊，唯有在你里面，我们才能得着那真正的成功。“除你以外，在天上我有谁呢？除你以外，在地上我也无所爱慕。”求你让我们这些枝子跟你紧紧相连，让我们能真正认识你并得着在你里面一切的丰盛。

奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们！

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