The Basic Motive for Success

Posted on July 24, 2008
There's something quite powerful within each person that spurs us on to seek worldly success -- the driving force of envy and jealousy.  This, according to Soloman, the world's wisest man (Ecclesiastes 4:4). 

To achieve is worthy, but Soloman advises such a motive as envy behind the success is a waste.  It is like spitting into the wind.  When it's all about me as I compare my success with that of others, it's like making a diet on cotton candy - worthless.

Later in Ecclesiastes, Soloman gives us the recipe for satisfaction.  He tells us there's no use arguing with God about our destiny.  Soloman advises that it is a gift from God for us to accept the lot in life that He's given us and to enjoy our work (Ecclesiastes 5:19b and 6:10). 

In fact, every moment of our lives was laid out before any of days came to be, according to King David (Psalm 139:16).  But is this really just some thought in futility?  Should we merely throw up our hands and become sofa spuds knowing that God is totally sovereign and has it all laid out for us?  Are we're mere robots in His Big Story?

Of course not.  What all this says is that we should grab onto God with all we've got and not let go.  Let's give ourselves totally to him.  We're assured that when we do, his immense favor is upon us (Hebrews 11:6) for whatever that lot in life is for us. 

Fulfilling that mission is what the Great Designer designed us to do from the get-go.  So, it is what fuels us best.  You...me in partnership with him.  It is like a pair of scissors.  God has his blade, and I have mine (Philippians 2:13) but he's the mastermind behind it all.

Here's where our motivation should be like a laser.  Learn daily to better detect his whispers to our hearts. Know what page He's on so we can get on it and fulfill the mission and purpose(s) he has for us (Ephesians 2:10 and James 2:17). This requires regular time to come into His presence, but what a reward to serve Truth.

(I have to confess though because of my own sweet tooth of selfish ambition for worldly success, it's taken some years for God's Spirit to sink this wonderful truth into me.  Read my blog


Listen to my 8 minute radio show on:  Your Place in God's Larger Story


Go back