The Bitter Taste of Success
1 Timothy 6:10 … the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (NRSV)
In your quiet moments when you imagine your future – as we all do – what picture do you paint in your mind? What are the things that you long for? What does your perfect future turn out to be in your imagination?
Success. Clearly, that’s what life’s all about. If only I could marry that perfect man (or woman). If only I could get a job that pays well and puts me on the perfect career path. If only I could buy that new car and that jet ski, or that expensive outfit I’ve always wanted. If only people would look at me and wish that they were like me; that they had what I have. Then … then I’d be happy.
There it is … that yearning for the sweet, sweet taste of success. And that’s how a lot of people think. I know, because I used to think that way. That’s how we’ve been conditioned to think.
And in our view, God should just doddle along behind us to make all our whims and fancies come to fruition.
Sadly, all too many spend their whole lives chasing that sort of success. They sacrifice the earth for a shallow version of success that’s been doctored up by highly paid spin merchants. But …
1 Timothy 6:10 … the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. (NRSV)
That’s the truth about shallow, worldly success. Where you expected sweetness, you discover bitterness. Sure, you may get what you imagined – the marriage, the salary, the career, whatever … but you also get a whole bunch of trouble that you never, in a million years, expected.
Success. It’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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Zoraida
Yes true success through Jesus.
Yes true success through Jesus.
Richard Harrison
Hi Berni. My wife and I really enjoy your messages. Your messages are very inspiring. It also amazes us how you can ...
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Hi Berni. My wife and I really enjoy your messages. Your messages are very inspiring. It also amazes us how you can think up so many topics to talk about in such short time periods too with the appropriate Bible text. May God bless you, your wife and ministry and all those involved in your ministry.