Many people value success by counting what materials they have in life. Having few properties and few cars and good monthly income to many, it is a luxurious life and it is a success. Growing up struggling every day financially, our family never value materiality as a success. I did not grow up having everything, but I do know one thing that we can always do, that's to read. We cannot buy a lot of things, including Lego, games, etc. That's what we lack, but we are blessed with books and lots of books.
Someone will go for a job which they think will give them whatever material things they want in life and that they can live life luxuriously - having the world best ice-cream, beef steak, best world holiday, etc. Even to be able to fulfil their dream to be the COO, CEO, CFC, the boss of bosses, etc. That's would be the best job to have. That's generally what people is chasing after.
When you earn the whole world and losses God/the bit and pieces of the 'earning' in His kingdom, is that still a success? In the past few years, there are just too many friends and family members passed away. Sending them off, seeing them lie in the coffin, I always ponder, now that he/she doesn't have the chance to 'earn' a piece of 'earning' in the kingdom of God, did they regret? Did they regret spending time chasing after their own dreams and wealth and happiness on earth and forgot about 'investing' in the kingdom of God?
You may say, you still serve in the church or God. I don't have any doubt that you did and still do. But you work 24/7 for your bosses and company/firm, but are you doing the same for God? You can buy a few Rolex watches, but are you giving any to God? What are you investing in His kingdom, to be honest?
I don't value having everything as a success. Not because I have everything today. I don't have everything I want today because I don't need everything to lives a life that's to fulfil His purpose for me. What I need is sufficient enough for me fulfil the purpose He has given me. I probably value, getting a Masters Degree or PhD better than having few landed properties. I am not trying to justify my decision, I am just saying.... whatever God wants me to do, I will do, even though I am unwilling to ... and if He wants me to be a judge one day, I will too... but only if He directs me so. So what if I do not have few properties and few cars and millions of cash? As long as I am loved and valued by God as His faithful servant, I think I am contented.
- Value + Success -
