How Does God Measure Success?

The crowd hooted and whooped. Handclapping sounded like thunderous downpour. I walked across the stage and received my diploma from Dallas Theological Seminary, and it felt monumental. Spiritual. Euphoric.

Friends stopped by our Airbnb after the ceremony. We ate large amounts of General Tso’s Chicken—and hugged deeply.

Then, my family and I flew back home. 

I woke up the next day to tired kids complaining about going to school. The GI Joe battlefield exploded in most of our living room. The empty milk carton signaled the urgency of a Kroger run.

No crowds. No awards. Just me faced with a task list big enough for a CEO, but simple enough for a servant. Scrub the toilets. Schedule the appointment. Bake a tray of loaded nachos for dinner.

My mountaintop success quickly descended into the valley of monotony. And my theology training was met with a sink full of dirty dishes.

How does God measure success when our schedules are full of paycheck gigs and/or clamoring kids—and hustling to cook tacos for dinner?

Definition of Success

I grew up in a neighborhood where grown-ups worked successful jobs and kids worked for successful grades to someday land successful jobs. We measured personal value by public success.

We outsourced mundane jobs like laundry, mowing the grass, cooking dinner—to a weekly housekeeper, the gardener, and whatever take-out we felt like that night.

Success was measured by position and possessions, but in the kingdom of God—success looks much different.

The Image of Success

King Saul strutted back to Canaan after defeating the Amalekites. He looked like the image of Israelite success: part warrior, part cattle-herder. His men destroyed Israel’s enemy, dragged off King Agag, and herded the loot of bleating sheep and lowing cattle—commodities of wealth.[1]

We should expect Israelite crowds hooting and hollering, cheering his name, feasting with new wine. But instead of rallying praise, Samuel met King Saul at Gilgal—an inspiring rallying point and national center—and declared his judgement.[2]

God directed King Saul to annihilate the Amalekites and take nothing, but he took King Agag as a trophy and the best of the loot as reward.

Samuel responds:

Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22

How Jesus Measures Success

During Jesus’ recorded teachings about the kingdom, known as the Sermon on the Mount, he talked about the religious—those who look like they followed God’s will. Some of their hearts were set on perceived success rather than obedience.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’[will enter into the kingdom of heaven—only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?’Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!

Matthew 7:21-23

Back to the Mundane

In looking at the counsel of scripture, it seems God may not measure success the way the world does—with positions and possessions. Rather, a successful life in scripture looks like yielding in obedience to God’s Word and the guidance of the Spirit.

And for me, this week obeying God looks like making midweek chili, unpacking suitcases from graduation weekend, and finally calculating our taxes.

Remember:

God measures our success by our measure of obedience to His leading.

Reflect:

Where are you obeying God in your life—whether in the mundane or momentous? How might the Spirit be leading you to obey him in a way that is uncomfortable?


[1] 1 Samuel 15

[2] June Yang, “Gilgal,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

How Does God Measure Success?

4 thoughts on “How Does God Measure Success?”

  1. Gaye Ellen Austin

    Excellent Seana and I know many can relate to this scenario. Blessings abound to you as one successful Mom and writer and God sees all that you are facing day after day after day. May He be pleased because you followed your calling and many have received wisdom from your cup.
    Gaye

  2. Thank you for sharing Seana. Wise and encouraging words.
    Reminds me of a Spurgeon quote.
    ‘No life can surpass that of a man who quietly continues to serve God in the place where providence has placed him’- Spurgeon

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