I believe that everyone can benefit from the principles and precepts discussed here. They can and should be applied to whatever God has called you to.
But before we get started in our discussion of what Noble Success is, I think it is extremely important to discuss what it isn’t.
First and foremost, this isn’t a “How God wants you to be rich” book. There are many who believe and teach that God wants everyone to be financially well off! We just have to have enough faith then sit back and watch God pour it out! And if we don’t have enough faith, they will help us if we just send them enough money! This kind of stuff has ruined the lives of millions of gullible, ignorant people, who according to the Bible are “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Timothy 3:7) The Apostle Paul describes them as children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness (Ephesians 4:14)
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary! God commands us to work! But work without knowledge, wisdom, and understanding will not be very successful in accomplishing His purpose for our lives. We may work hard, yet without increasing or multiplying the skills and value we bring to the marketplace we won’t be very successful in increasing our ability to serve God through our talents, time, and treasures.
I believe that God wants everyone to be successful in accomplishing whatever it is that He has called them to do. So in that sense, if God specifically calls us into a role of financially supporting His servants, it would be difficult to fulfill that calling if you are barely keeping your head above water. If we are not increasing our ability to multiply the opportunities God gives us, He may just take those opportunities away. Some may say that God doesn’t need us to accomplish His purpose, but He has chosen to do so! In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, why is it that the Master took the talent away from the from the one servant and gave it to the one who already had ten? Because the servant with ten talents had demonstrated that he was faithful to fulfill his master’s wishes. We should do no less!
I truly believe that Christians who have the privilege to live in an affluent society have a greater responsibility and will be held accountable for how they respond to the opportunities to “do well in order to do good”. A simple adjustment in lifestyle could yield much “fruit” in the way of financial support for those in the ministry.
Second, the idea of noble success isn’t a justification for pursuing wealth for the sake of being wealthy. The Bible is very clear about this point. It isn’t even a focus on material or monetary success. Noble success is not just about financial gain, however, by necessity this subject will be discussed throughout the book. In a ministry of sending, supporting, and supplying, understanding and practicing prudent financial management is essential.
I understand that there will be some who simply will not even want to consider what I am trying to say here. I will be judged as a “Name it, Claim it, Health and Wealth” kook! My prayer is that after you read the entire book, you will have a different perspective.
Nothing could be further from the truth. All I am trying to do is layout a Biblical mandate for a ministry of supporting those called to the ministry of the Word.
So, let me ask how you would you answer the question, “What is success?” When the term “Success” is brought up, nine times out ten we immediately think of financial success. We think of a “successful” person as someone who has made a lot of money. Someone who is “financially independent”. They’ve got it made! Big house. Expensive cars. Vacation home on the beach or in the mountains (or both). Kids go to the most prestigious and expensive schools. In other words, they have the “Midas Touch”!
All these things tend to flash across our mental screens, but we seldom take a look at the rest of their lives and ask the deeper questions:
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Are they happy?
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Do they have a loving family relationship?
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Are others benefiting because of their success?
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Are they in good health?
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And most important of all, do they know the One who has given them the power to get wealth? (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Are they truly successful when they may have made it financially, but their personal or home life is in shambles? Are they successful when at the end of their lives, they die and leave no legacy except broken lives, bitter relatives, and bad memories?
Leaving a legacy is one of the key point in this book and will be addressed in Part Four: The Challenge of Noble Success.
Until next time my friends, Selah … Think on these things!