Success in this modern times is an hydra headed concept which means different tings to different people at different times. The Concept of success is largely attributed to the achievement of a relatively difficult shift.
In ancient times, success is likened to victory, triumph, wealth etc. but to put it in perspective success is just the achievement of an aim or purpose. for one to truly understand what success is one there must be the existence of a goal whether self made or artificial. The concept of success only comes to fore when there is something to be achieved.
However, putting it into to the perspective of spirituality and as a staunch Christian, i can categorically say that there is a strong contention between what the world term as success and what is termed as success in the realms of the spirit. The world generally measure success by fame, power, wealth etc. which has in a large way contributed to the turmoil the world is in today. The worldly ideology behind this concept is what has fueled different wars and chaos in the world. However, the biblical understanding of success is not dependent on material things but rather on spiritual things.
Matthew 6:19–20 put the idea of spiritual success in perspective by explaining what we should do as Christians with regards to our understanding of success.
19: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal
The above scripture presents a distinctive difference between what we call success as regular people and what we should call success as Christians. Success in the spiritual perspective as Christians is anchored on the ultimate goal which is heaven. the bible says in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us so that we can have eternal life, therefore our success is not the amassing of wealth or riches in this world through comformation to the world but for us to be transformed through the renewal of our minds and have understanding of the biblically principles of the graces that abound to us as believers in Christ.
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Success in a spiritual perspective stems form the obedience to God and following his statutes without compromise. The bible says in the book of Joshua that the book of the law would not depart from my mouth and i shall meditate there in day and night and will observe all that is written therein for then shall i make my way prosperous and i shall have good success. this simply means the success we consider as carnal being is infinitesimal to what have as joint heirs with Christ as the earth is of the Lord and the fullness therein , therefore if our ways are right with him we shall experience good success beyond the comprehension of human understanding as this is just one of the manifestation of the multiple graces that abounds for us which is the grace called favour.
Any form of success we achieve as Christians should be a manifestation of the holy spirit for the edification of the body of Christ and the glorification of the almighty God as we have been charged with the great commission to be disciples of all nation to preach , to teach and set the captive free without losing focus on the heavenly race as the the true success is to be on the right hand side of God when the fullness of time shall come.
According to Tim Keller in his book Counterfeit Gods, people have been so much accustomed to world success that they believe it's what they do that grants them this success thereby making such things as idols:
“More than other idols, personal success and achievement lead to a sense that we ourselves are God. . . . To be the very best at what you do, to be at the top of the heap, means no one is like you. You are supreme.”
In light of the foregoing, we have so much tasted what earthly success is that we already think we are gods and we can conjure up wealth as long as we stay focus and dedicated to our jobs or whatever we do that makes us successful.
Conclusively, in the realm of the spirits in line with the Biblical instructions and teachings, everything we have and we are is given to us to be a blessings to the edification of the body of Christ in service to God. it is not about us but about the purpose by which we were created. this is seen in the parable of the talents when the master chastised the one with one talent for thinking all about himself. we are in the service of God and all that we should should be a reflection of our total submission to his control and directions for him to order our parts and bring us to an expected end which is described as good success