How Do YOU MEASURE SUCCESS?

ONE dictionary defines success as "the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence."   Is that a complete definition?  Are wealth, favor, or eminence the only measures of success?  Before  you  answer, consider this:  Jesus Christ acquired no material wealth during his lifetime.  He did not gain the approval of most men; nor was he highly regarded by the trendsetters of his day.  Yet, Jesus was a successful man.  Why?

While on earth, Jesus was "rich toward God."  (Luke 12:21) After his resurrection, God rewarded him by crowning him "with glory and honor." Jehovah exalted his Son "to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name."  ( Hebrews 2:9; Philippians 2:9) Jesus' life course made Jehovah's heart rejoice.  (Proverbs 27:11) His earthly life was successful because it achieved its purpose.   Jesus did God's will and brought honor to His name.  In turn, God honored Jesus with wealth, favor, and eminence of a kind that no academic, politician, or sports hero will ever experience.  Jesus was truly the  most successful man who ever walked the earth.

Christian parents realize that if their young ones follow in Christ's footsteps, becoming rich toward God in the sense that Jesus was, they will reap rich blessings now and enjoy unimaginable rewards in the coming system of things.  There is no better way for a young person to follow in Christ's footsteps than to do the work that Jesus did-by engaging in the full-time ministry if that is possible.

In some cultures,  however, the prevailing custom is for young people not to take up the full-time ministry.  When a young man finishes his schooling, he may be expected to obtain full-time employment, get married and settle down.  At times, young people from such backgrounds mistakenly hold back from entering into the full-time ministry.  (Proverbs 3:27) Why? Because of pressure, they conform to prevailing cultural standards. That is what happened to Robert.

Next time: When Culture and Conscience Clash

Watchtower, 2000