Articles
The Danger of Success - Part 3
We all want to be successful. Whether it is physical, financial, or spiritual, success is the goal.But it may not be all that it is cracked up to be. In the Bible, we find that success often leads to a swift downfall. It happened to Uzziah. To Rehoboam. To David. To Solomon. It can happen to anyone. Satan isn’t intimidated by our success.
In the previous two articles, we observed that success can easily lead to carelessness and often to pride, forgetting that God is the one who has brought us our successes. This time, in the final article of the series, we contemplate a different aspect of pride – arrogance towards others.
It starts with a simple thought. If I can do it, so can they. If I can get out of poverty and make something of my life, so can they. If I can overcome this temptation, so can they. Simple enough. Maybe even true. But lurking underneath is an air of superiority. Swiftly, the thought shifts into looking down on someone else because of their failures. Without compassion, Christians have been known to look down on the poor because it’s their own fault that they are poor. Without compassion, and forgetting their own need for purification of sins, Christians have looked down on sinful men who struggle with temptation. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it.
The Bible warns against such thinking. When the Jews, who had long been God’s chosen people, rejected Jesus they were rejected by God. That is the ultimate failure. On the other hand, when the Gentiles became Christians, they had reached spiritual success. This was great news for the Gentile Christians, but rather than receiving accolades and congratulations they received warnings. “Do not be arrogant toward the branches, (referencing the Jews - JH), but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you” (Rom. 11:18). “Do not be conceited, but fear” (Rom. 11:20).
It is easy to become arrogant, but we have been called to a better way of thinking. “Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another” (I Pet. 5:5). “Do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation” (Rom. 12:16)
When we are lifted up by success, we can either look down on those below us as though we have triumphed over them, or we can remember our plight, remember our need for help and our need for God. We can remember love and mercy and kindness. Then, instead of being puffed up, we can use our success as an opportunity to reach out and help whoever else we can.
The rich can share their wealth and wisdom. The righteous can share their faith and the righteous guide of God’s word. We can help. We must.
It is my hope that your life will be filled with all sorts of successes, but especially spiritual ones. However, watch yourself in those joyous moments. Don’t let yourself become careless in your obedience to God. Don’t let yourself become puffed up, forgetting that all glory belongs to God and not to you. And don’t let your heart be filled with arrogance towards others, losing all sense of mercy and compassion.
