Weekly Thought – August 28, 2026
Fred distinguished between intrinsic and accumulated value. “When someone says so and so is worth a million dollars, I always think, ‘He may have accumulated a million, but he may not be worth a plug nickel.’ I am valuable because Christ died for me and so are you – not because of the balance in your checkbook.” He thought of success as part of a process and not just the gathering of material goods.
Meaningful Success
I believe in working for success much more than just praying for it. Pray for maturity and work for success. If both come together, then you will know best how to use it, how to enjoy it, and how to perpetuate it. As you work, do so enthusiastically, intelligently, intensely, and ethically.
A friend wrote this reminder on his wall: “A thing that needs doing can be done honestly.” Good ends never launder dirty means.
I find the way to go includes three elements:
1) Get yourself a clear definition of success. The dictionary always uses a financial measure, but to me that isn’t it. Success is using your talent and gifts to their highest advantage and contribution. Wealth may come with it, or it may not. My associate, Joe Dominy gave me this one: Something to do, someone to love, and something to look forward to. The reward is usually paid in the “coin of the realm.” In business this means money; in politics, power; in ministry, blessing and respect; in teaching, the satisfaction of passing knowledge from one generation to another. Ironically, the only coin that gets criticized is money. No one is lambasted for too many degrees, or too much respect, or even too much power. The multiplication of money should be seen as necessary for the multiplication of ministry.
2) Clarify your philosophical base. Behind every plan of action, every commitment of time and energy, should be a solid philosophical base. From it comes the answer to the question, “why.” For example, why not stay where it is comfortable? Why push ahead, risking failure? Those answers are found in the fundamental belief system we each have. This will then be translated into that unscratchable itch. Some call it stewardship; some call it ego drive; others see it as responsibility. If it is only for materialistic accumulation, often it ends up like the scripture verse, “He gave them their desire, but sent leanness of soul.” Life is a two-stage rocket. The first is physical energy – it ignites and we are off. As physical energy diminishes, the spiritual stage must ignite to boost us into orbit or we fall back.
3) Select a pleasant route. Too often we think only of our destination and not the possible ways of getting there. Recently, on the west Coast, I decided to turn off the interstate and follow a small scenic road. It is so easy to use the “A to B in the fastest possible time” way of living, we miss so much. I must admit I took this approach when our children were small. We pulled into the Grand Canyon, I pointed out the big hole, and then off we were! Too often, we have our goal so much in mind we fail to take another, more leisurely way. Goals and destination should both be interesting. We spend a lot more time getting there, so it should be pleasant. As I like to say, look for the joy in the journey.
Think about: 1) How fast am I traveling? 2) What is my personal definition of success? 3) Who models success for me?
Words of Wisdom: “Good ends never launder dirty means.”
Wisdom from the Word: “Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity – every good way. For wisdom will enter your heart and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.” (Proverbs 2:9,10 NET Bible)