Real Success

Read Proverbs 12:1-28

2. The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3. Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots.
4. A worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.
5. The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
7. The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm.
8. A sensible person wins admiration, but a warped mind is despised.
9. Better to be an ordinary person with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
10. The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.
11. A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. Proverbs 12:2-11

Cheating, cutting in line, fudging the numbers, covering up your mistakes, and working so many hours that you neglect your family responsibilities—these are the techniques people use to get ahead. This is the “American way.” Is it yours?

When it comes to achieving success, there is a tremendous contrast between the techniques used by the wicked and those used by the righteous. There’s also a big difference between whom the wicked and the righteous worship. In the end, only one will really be successful. As you read, look for the proverbs that teach how to attain real success.

You will also find these topics in Proverbs 12: a smart step that everyone can take; tips for responding to insults; how to use words; and laziness.

“Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots” (Proverbs 12:3). This proverb refers to success. Everyone knows people who have cheated to pass a test or to get a larger tax refund. While they may get away with it and enjoy a good grade or a bigger refund, don’t be tempted to view them as successful or desire to emulate them. Real success comes only to those who do what is right (Proverbs 12:3). Although the efforts of the righteous may not always be successful from the world’s point of view, their efforts will have lasting worth. The apparent successes of the wicked will not last.

The choices that will set you on the path to real success—obedience to God and doing his will—have everlasting consequences. If you are not successful by God’s standards, you have not achieved success at all.

Determine to be firmly rooted in living God’s way. Don’t sell your character to achieve worldly success.