How Does God Define Success?

These outward signs may signal success in the eyes of society. But does God agree?

I pondered this topic, prayed for godly wisdom (James 1:5), and studied the Bible for clarity.

Here is the outcome.

But before we get to the questions that can determine whether God thinks of you as successful, let’s consider the issue of wealth—and lack thereof.

Does Wealth Denote Success?

It’s understandable if some equate success with wealth. When we consistently churn out quality work and do so heartily (Colossians 3:23), customers return to the business we run again and again. Employers reward us using money, a universally acceptable currency.

That’s why competent workers can grow wealthy with time.

Scripture supports the link between being blessed and rich. Many of Old Testament’s beloved characters were prosperous. Abraham, Isaac, David, Job, and Joseph—as in Pharaoh’s number two (Genesis 41:39-43)—were all successful.

Note that the New Testament does not condemn wealthy Christians. For instance, Paul did not teach Timothy, his protégé, to instruct rich believers to donate everything: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17).

Paul’s concerns for the rich seemed to center on the focus of their hope: not in their possession, but in God.

At the same time, not every wealthy person is a devout Christian. Many of the world’s wealthiest billionaires profess zero allegiance to Christ. Would God applaud these moguls as success stories when they live contrary to His standards?

Doubtful.

Does Poverty Denote Success?

At first glance, the question seems ludicrous. Who would even believe a successful person is one who lives with lack? Yet some Christians think this way.

Let me explain.

Some factions within the body of Christ seem to praise poverty as the godly way to go. This mindset can appear as an approval if a minister’s family are struggling from month to month, or if the pastor has to take another job to support his family. Somehow, these Christians trust poorer ministers more so than richer ones—as though it’s holier for ministers of the Gospel to own ratty items.

However, the belief that it’s holier to be poor than to have resources is too simplistic and possibly unscriptural. Like we’ve seen earlier, Scripture records examples of successful people who were not poor.

4 Diagnostic Questions

Who, then, qualifies as being successful in God’s eyes?

Consider the following questions.

1. Are you accomplishing His assignments for you?

The book of Joshua begins with God giving him a clear charge: Conquer Canaan and divvy it up for Israel’s tribes. The book ends with report of Joshua fulfilling this mandate (Joshua 1:6, 8; 23:3-4).

Your calling may not be as grand as Joshua’s, or it might eclipse his. Regardless, it’s up to each believer to seek the Lord to discover our individual calling. Whether it’s local or international, in full-time ministry or in the marketplace, the Lord considers us a success if we exhibit faithfulness at what He has asked us to do.

Don’t let discouragement deter you from serving Him if you feel His call for you is miniscule compared to other Christians you know. Being faithful with the small things in life will promote you to bigger and more impressive things (Matthew 25:23, Luke 16:10).

2. Do you live righteously?

Remember our previous discussion on having ample assets? According to Proverbs 11:4, “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death” (NKJV). 

Which means living righteous beats having a fat trust fund.

Years ago, my pastor explained that to glean the meaning of righteous, all we need to do is to drop the last half of the word: -eous. What’s left is the word right. 

So let’s review the question using this interpretation. Do you live the right way? If you’re not sure what constitutes the right way, refer to the Bible. It’s right to follow the instructions God has outlined in His book. Listen to God’s heart on the subject: “If only they would always honor me and obey all my commands, so that everything would go well with them and their descendants forever” (Deuteronomy 5:29, GNT).

3. Do you obey God?

Part of living right before God is heeding His course correction for any misstep. However, as I’ve unfortunately experienced, it’s often easier to disregard His voice.

I’m not alone. Prophet Samuel rebuked king Saul because the latter dared to snub God’s command. The result is a verse on obedience that Christians often quote: “Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him” (1 Samuel 15:22, CEV).

Look at how other translations extract the meaning:

• “Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. He is much more interested in your listening to him than in your offering the fat of rams to him” (TLB).
• “Does the Lord take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Know this! To obey is better than sacrifice, and to pay attention is better than the fat of rams” (EHV).
• “Do you think all God wants are sacrifices—empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production.” (MSG)

Listening to God—and obeying Him—surpass any amount we can drop into the offering bucket.

4. Do you bear fruit?

Jesus demonstrates that the Father is interested in seeing not just fruit in us, but plenty of it (John 15:1-8). Apparently, the world will know that we are His not only from our love (John 13:35), but also by the amount of fruit we bear. That’s the message of John 15:8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Detailing how we can bear all this fruit is beyond the scope of this article. However, you can collect clues by studying the passage in John above, along with the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15) for. There are nine characteristics to this fruit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Bottom line: if you’re a believer and you’re growing in the Lord, you can expect fruit to develop.

Putting it All Together

So then, how does God define success?

It’s possible for anyone to be successful in God’s view. From millionaires to those of us with a more modest income; whether single, divorced, infertile, or married with kids; and whether you’re grandparenting with your spouse, or if the latter has passed on.

The secret is to live the right way, desire to obey God, bear fruit in its season, and faithful in executing your call—even when you make a mess of things every now and then.

So, how about if we start getting busy? Let’s tend to the ripe harvest (Luke 10:2) and leave the rest to God.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Chinnapong 

Dr. Audrey Davidheiser is a licensed psychologist in California, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and IFSI-approved clinical consultant. After founding a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, she now provides IFS therapy for trauma survivors, including those with religious trauma, and assists in IFS trainings. She has been a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and columnist for iBelieve.com. Her book on how IFS helps the grieving process, Wholehearted Grieving, will be published by InterVarsity Press in 2025.