Session 3

How are you measuring success in life?

From Proverbs: A 31-Day Devotional

Often, we correlate success with how much wealth someone has accumulated. Our lives are successful based on the size of our bank accounts, the size of our houses, how many possessions we have, and our overall net worth. But is that what success really looks like?

There is nothing wrong with money. Money isn’t itself evil, but the value we give to it can be.

When God gave Solomon, the principal writer of Proverbs, a choice to have anything he wanted, Solomon asked for wisdom above all else. In return, Solomon had it all — wealth, wisdom, beautiful women. But as Solomon lays out the true meaning of success in Proverbs 11, those status symbols are nowhere on his list.

Instead, Solomon says success comes from working hard and being generous with what we have (Proverbs 11:24-26). We can’t take our stuff with us when this life is over. Everything we gain in life can be taken away, but a relationship with Jesus will never fade away.

Solomon also warns us that success that is not rightfully gained is not success at all (Proverbs 11:29-31). It may appear that people who have gained wealth wrongfully are successful, but whether we see it or not, there are always consequences to our actions. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Wealth is a gift, not a goal.

All the wealth in the world can’t compare with the true riches that are gained from following Jesus.

Trusting in our wealth leads us to destruction, but trusting in God leads us to our destiny. When we realize that true wealth is not something that we can gain but is given to us by God, then and only then, will we truly be successful in life.

Reflect:

• Where is your trust today? What’s one way you can invest in your relationship with Jesus this week?
• Have you ever watched dishonest people get ahead at work, on a sports team, or in ministry? What did you learn from that situation?
• Generosity is a one of the best ways to train our hearts to trust Jesus. What’s one way you can be generous with what God has already given you?