How do we define success?

by TAN SIN GUAN

A man once asked my wife what her husband’s profession is. A pastor, she replied. The man asked, "How much can a pastor earn?"

His question reflects how people in general look at a profession or career path. "What is your profession?" is the first question. The second question that might not be verbalized is, "How much do you earn a month?" The close connection between career and income has actually influenced many a decision on what career path to take.

In general, the first factor that people consider in deciding on a career is the potential return on investment, which includes income and the benefits that come with the job. As such, it is not surprising that medicine, law and engineering are high on the list of ideal careers. Without being judgmental, the recent crisis on the shortage of medical places in public universities for top scorers does leave one wondering how many of the applicants really have the aptitude for medicine.

Narrow definition of success

One reason for the popularity of choosing a career in medicine, law and engineering could be traced to the way we define and understand success — that of attaining wealth, position, honor or the like. While we may shy away from the sentiment that "he who dies with the most toys win", most of us embrace the notion that success means being materially comfortable and relatively independent. However, this is not to say wealth, position and honor are not important. God did raise people such as Joseph, Esther and Daniel to positions of power and honor. King Solomon said, "Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work — this is a gift of God (Ecclesiastes 5:19)." God not only gives wealth and possessions but He enables us to enjoy them. Being able to enjoy them is also a gift from Him.

However, it would be inadequate, if not unbiblical to define success so narrowly. History shows there were successful people who were not financially independent or comfortable. These people lived out their passion and their lives for the cause of others. Socrates, Martin Luther King, Jr and Mahatma Gandhi were such people. It is surely a mistake for us to define success as something that is added to a person such as wealth, honor, position or the like. It should be something that grows out of a person. Hal Miller in the Complete Book of Everyday Christianity observes that "success is both broader and deeper than the simple definition of comfort and independence… success seems to be inextricably linked with attaining goals that are deep within a person but also far broader than a single individual". Consequently, a more important question that we should ask is, what does it mean to be successful as a person? We may define success based on our profession or achievement but how do we know if we are successful as a person?

In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus gave his definition of a successful person. We notice that in the parable, the matter of concern is not how much the servants brought back to the master. Neither is it how they did it because putting the money on deposit with the bankers was also an acceptable option. The matter of concern was how faithful the servants were with the talents entrusted to them. As such, the master’s comment was neither "good and successful" nor "good and profitable" servant but rather "good and faithful" servant. There is a greater issue involved in the parable. A servant’s sole purpose is to live out whatever the master has purposed for him. Consequently, between the master’s departure and return, he had purposed for his servants to take care of and multiply his property. As such, when the third servant failed to administer the money given to him faithfully, it was not only an issue of faithfulness with regard to the talents but also his calling as a servant.

The way Jesus views success is crucial for us who are in the marketplace. Success is not measured by the kind of profession we are in or how much we add on for ourselves. Success is measured by how faithful we are toward His calling for us and in exercising the talents that He has entrusted to us. Biblically, the kind of talents that He entrusted to us has to do with the kind of calling He has for us. The liberating truth is that we can be successful in whatever profession we are in, wherever we are.

Two Important Questions

In our quest for biblical success, it is crucial for us to ask two important questions. First, what is God’s calling for us? Career is part of our calling but it must not be equated with calling. A calling or vocation is the summons of God to live our whole life for his glory. A career is part of that but not the whole. Understanding our calling is crucial because it would provide freedom for us to move about in different professions or career paths. Theologian R Paul Steven explained, "Because Christians have a sense of vocation, they are able to encompass several career changes within the larger purpose of their lives to serve God and God’s purposes in the church and the world."

Secondly, what are God’s allotted talents for us? This is not only a biblical question but a practical one as well. Richard Nelson Bolles in What Color Is Your Parachute talks about the need to identify one’s talents in order to excel in a particular job. To quote him, "Your first mission here on earth is to seek to stand hour by hour in the conscious presence of God, the One from whom your mission is derived. The second mission is to make this world a better place, following the leading and guidance of God’s Spirit within you and around you. Thirdly, to exercise that talent which you particularly came to earth to use… your greatest gifts which you most delight to use in the place or setting which God has caused to appeal to you the most, and for those purposes which God most needs to have done in the world." Mission (Calling) is something He has already revealed. Talents are what we have to find out.

Why do we choose the profession we are in today? Is it purely based on its potential return on investment and the like? It is a challenge for the people of God to adopt a definition of success that is not built on comparisons with one another but rather on how Jesus Christ would look at the individual: his unique character, calling and talents. The truth is that no matter what kind of profession we have decided for ourselves, we can be successful — not in our own eyes but in His. Success is not what we say about ourselves. It is what He says about us.

Tan Sin Guan is director of Malaysia Campus Crusade for Christ’s Impact! ministry. He is also an associate pastor of Klang Chinese Methodist Church.