What Is True Success?

HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE SUCCESS?

The Bible encourages  a proper view of success. It does not teach that success is attainable only by a fortunate few.  On the other hand, it does not endorse the storybook fantasy that if you simply 'follow your dreams' all your wishes will come true.  That notion-which is all too often spoon-fed to children from an early age-will likely lead to disappointment. 

The fact is, real success is within the grasp of anyone-but it requires effort. Consider the following principles. 

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS: 
"A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income." -Ecclesiastes 5:10.

WHAT IT MEANS: A materialistic lifestyle does not guarantee satisfaction.  In fact, it tends  to do the opposite.  "People whose primary motives are financial are much more likely to be anxious and depressed than people who value strong relationship with others," writes Dr. Jean M. Twenge in her book Generation Me. She adds:  "Research consistently finds that money cannot buy happiness-after you reach a subsistence level, income is not significantly related to life satisfaction." 

WHAT YOU CAN DO: Set as a goal something more rewarding than wealthy and possessions.  "Guard against every sort of greed," Jesus said, "because even when a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses." -Luke 12:15. 

Next time: What Is True Success?/Continue with HOW TO ACHIEVE TRUE SUCCESS-WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS

From the Awake! magazine