My Mission in the Marketplace Part 5: "How to Handle Success" (A 5-day Devotional)
Day 1: The Divine Origin of Prosperity
Reading: James 1:17; Deuteronomy 8:17-18
Devotional: Every achievement, every breakthrough, every success ultimately traces back to God's hand. Like Jacob, who became "exceedingly exceedingly" prosperous, we may work hard and apply wisdom, but God orchestrates the opportunities, timing, and resources that lead to breakthrough. Malcolm Gladwell's research confirms what Scripture teaches: factors beyond our control—birth timing, unexpected opportunities, divine appointments—shape our success. This isn't fatalism; it's recognizing God's sovereignty. When you receive a promotion, close a deal, or experience abundance, pause and acknowledge the Father of lights from whom every good gift descends. Your talents, your opportunities, your very breath—all are grace. This perspective cultivates humility and gratitude, protecting us from the pride that says, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth." Today, identify one success in your life and thank God specifically for His hand in it.
Prayer:
Lord, remind me today that every blessing and every success in my life comes from You. Help me to work hard, but never forget who establishes my steps. Amen.
Day 2: Blessed to Be a Blessing
Reading: Genesis 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Devotional: God's promise to Abraham established a pattern: "I will bless you...and you will be a blessing." This wasn't prosperity for personal indulgence but divine investment for Kingdom impact. Paul reinforces this in his instruction to the wealthy: enjoy God's provision, but "be rich in good works, generous and ready to share." Your success isn't solely for your enjoyment—it's a stewardship opportunity. The college fund that helped you, the mentor who opened doors, the business that thrived—these came with purpose beyond your comfort. John Wesley's formula remains timeless: "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can." Success without generosity breeds isolation; prosperity without purpose creates emptiness. God entrusts much to those who will leverage it for others' benefit. Ask yourself: How is my current level of success blessing others? Who could I help succeed? Your prosperity is God's provision flowing through you to a world in need.
Prayer:
Lord, make me a faithful steward of all You’ve entrusted to me. Let my success bring light, hope, and provision to others, that through me, they may see You. Amen.
Day 3: Avoiding the Prosperity Trap
Reading: Proverbs 18:10-11; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Devotional: Prosperity presents a subtle danger: replacing God as our security. Proverbs contrasts two towers—the name of the Lord versus the wealth of the rich. One provides genuine safety; the other offers only imagined protection. When success becomes our identity, our confidence, our fortress, we've constructed a false tower. We see this tragedy in Laban's family, where wealth destroyed relationships—father against daughters, siblings divided, bitterness festering. The rich imagine their wealth is an unscalable wall, but it's an illusion. Markets crash, health fails, circumstances change. Paul's instruction to the wealthy isn't condemnation but caution: "Don't be arrogant or trust in uncertain riches." The antidote? Set your hope on God who richly provides everything for enjoyment. Prosperity isn't evil, but misplaced trust is deadly. Examine your heart: Is your security in your portfolio or your Provider? In your achievements or your Advocate? Run to the Lord as your fortified tower, and let your success be a gift you steward, not an idol you serve.
Prayer:
God, protect my heart from the pride and false security that can come with success.
Keep me humble, generous, and anchored in You as my true refuge. Amen.
Day 4: Listening Through the Noise of Success
Reading: Genesis 31:1-18; Luke 12:15-21
Devotional: At the peak of his prosperity, Jacob received an unsettling command: leave everything and return to Canaan where danger awaited. Remarkably, he obeyed. Success hadn't deafened him to God's voice. Many lose their spiritual sensitivity when prosperity arrives. The urgency to seek God diminishes when life is comfortable. Prayer becomes perfunctory when we feel self-sufficient. But Jesus warned of the man whose success led to soul-poverty—building bigger barns while ignoring eternity. Jacob could have rationalized staying: "God blessed me here; surely He wants me to maximize this opportunity." Instead, he remained an active listener, ready to risk his accumulated wealth for obedience. This is the test of prosperity: Does your success make you more dependent on God or less? Can you hear His voice above the applause? Will you follow His leading even when it seems financially foolish? Prosperity should increase our gratitude and deepen our dependence, not create distance from our Divine Guide. Today, ask God if your success has muted your sensitivity to His voice.
Prayer:
Father, search my heart. If I’ve ever used You to pursue my own glory or gain, forgive me. Teach me to love and follow You for who You are, not for what You can give. Amen.
Day 5: The Gospel: Our Ultimate Success
Reading: Philippians 3:7-11; Ephesians 1:3-14
Devotional: Scripture never calls wealth and success "good news." That designation belongs exclusively to the Gospel. Paul counted his impressive credentials—his earthly success—as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. The famous baseball player's testimony rings true: all the money and acclaim won't satisfy; only Jesus does. Our culture programs us to believe professional achievement and financial prosperity equal success, but these are temporary, unsatisfying, and ultimately empty apart from Christ. The greatest success isn't what you earn but what you receive freely—forgiveness, adoption, purpose, eternal life. The ultimate prosperity isn't your portfolio but the "incomparable riches of His grace." Jacob's sheep multiplied, but his greatest blessing was God's presence and promise. Your career may flourish or flounder, your business may boom or bust, but your identity and security rest in Christ alone. He is the strong tower, the true success, the eternal prosperity. Have you embraced this good news? Is Jesus the center of your definition of success? Today, thank God that your greatest achievement required no work—just faith in the finished work of Christ.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are my greatest treasure. Thank You for giving me the riches of Your grace, forgiveness, and eternal life. Help me live each day pursuing You above all else. Amen.
Reading: James 1:17; Deuteronomy 8:17-18
Devotional: Every achievement, every breakthrough, every success ultimately traces back to God's hand. Like Jacob, who became "exceedingly exceedingly" prosperous, we may work hard and apply wisdom, but God orchestrates the opportunities, timing, and resources that lead to breakthrough. Malcolm Gladwell's research confirms what Scripture teaches: factors beyond our control—birth timing, unexpected opportunities, divine appointments—shape our success. This isn't fatalism; it's recognizing God's sovereignty. When you receive a promotion, close a deal, or experience abundance, pause and acknowledge the Father of lights from whom every good gift descends. Your talents, your opportunities, your very breath—all are grace. This perspective cultivates humility and gratitude, protecting us from the pride that says, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth." Today, identify one success in your life and thank God specifically for His hand in it.
Prayer:
Lord, remind me today that every blessing and every success in my life comes from You. Help me to work hard, but never forget who establishes my steps. Amen.
Day 2: Blessed to Be a Blessing
Reading: Genesis 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11
Devotional: God's promise to Abraham established a pattern: "I will bless you...and you will be a blessing." This wasn't prosperity for personal indulgence but divine investment for Kingdom impact. Paul reinforces this in his instruction to the wealthy: enjoy God's provision, but "be rich in good works, generous and ready to share." Your success isn't solely for your enjoyment—it's a stewardship opportunity. The college fund that helped you, the mentor who opened doors, the business that thrived—these came with purpose beyond your comfort. John Wesley's formula remains timeless: "Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can." Success without generosity breeds isolation; prosperity without purpose creates emptiness. God entrusts much to those who will leverage it for others' benefit. Ask yourself: How is my current level of success blessing others? Who could I help succeed? Your prosperity is God's provision flowing through you to a world in need.
Prayer:
Lord, make me a faithful steward of all You’ve entrusted to me. Let my success bring light, hope, and provision to others, that through me, they may see You. Amen.
Day 3: Avoiding the Prosperity Trap
Reading: Proverbs 18:10-11; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Devotional: Prosperity presents a subtle danger: replacing God as our security. Proverbs contrasts two towers—the name of the Lord versus the wealth of the rich. One provides genuine safety; the other offers only imagined protection. When success becomes our identity, our confidence, our fortress, we've constructed a false tower. We see this tragedy in Laban's family, where wealth destroyed relationships—father against daughters, siblings divided, bitterness festering. The rich imagine their wealth is an unscalable wall, but it's an illusion. Markets crash, health fails, circumstances change. Paul's instruction to the wealthy isn't condemnation but caution: "Don't be arrogant or trust in uncertain riches." The antidote? Set your hope on God who richly provides everything for enjoyment. Prosperity isn't evil, but misplaced trust is deadly. Examine your heart: Is your security in your portfolio or your Provider? In your achievements or your Advocate? Run to the Lord as your fortified tower, and let your success be a gift you steward, not an idol you serve.
Prayer:
God, protect my heart from the pride and false security that can come with success.
Keep me humble, generous, and anchored in You as my true refuge. Amen.
Day 4: Listening Through the Noise of Success
Reading: Genesis 31:1-18; Luke 12:15-21
Devotional: At the peak of his prosperity, Jacob received an unsettling command: leave everything and return to Canaan where danger awaited. Remarkably, he obeyed. Success hadn't deafened him to God's voice. Many lose their spiritual sensitivity when prosperity arrives. The urgency to seek God diminishes when life is comfortable. Prayer becomes perfunctory when we feel self-sufficient. But Jesus warned of the man whose success led to soul-poverty—building bigger barns while ignoring eternity. Jacob could have rationalized staying: "God blessed me here; surely He wants me to maximize this opportunity." Instead, he remained an active listener, ready to risk his accumulated wealth for obedience. This is the test of prosperity: Does your success make you more dependent on God or less? Can you hear His voice above the applause? Will you follow His leading even when it seems financially foolish? Prosperity should increase our gratitude and deepen our dependence, not create distance from our Divine Guide. Today, ask God if your success has muted your sensitivity to His voice.
Prayer:
Father, search my heart. If I’ve ever used You to pursue my own glory or gain, forgive me. Teach me to love and follow You for who You are, not for what You can give. Amen.
Day 5: The Gospel: Our Ultimate Success
Reading: Philippians 3:7-11; Ephesians 1:3-14
Devotional: Scripture never calls wealth and success "good news." That designation belongs exclusively to the Gospel. Paul counted his impressive credentials—his earthly success—as rubbish compared to knowing Christ. The famous baseball player's testimony rings true: all the money and acclaim won't satisfy; only Jesus does. Our culture programs us to believe professional achievement and financial prosperity equal success, but these are temporary, unsatisfying, and ultimately empty apart from Christ. The greatest success isn't what you earn but what you receive freely—forgiveness, adoption, purpose, eternal life. The ultimate prosperity isn't your portfolio but the "incomparable riches of His grace." Jacob's sheep multiplied, but his greatest blessing was God's presence and promise. Your career may flourish or flounder, your business may boom or bust, but your identity and security rest in Christ alone. He is the strong tower, the true success, the eternal prosperity. Have you embraced this good news? Is Jesus the center of your definition of success? Today, thank God that your greatest achievement required no work—just faith in the finished work of Christ.
Prayer:
Jesus, You are my greatest treasure. Thank You for giving me the riches of Your grace, forgiveness, and eternal life. Help me live each day pursuing You above all else. Amen.