I’ve been thinking about success lately. As I write, one of my good friends is at the Cannes Film Festival with her husband. Their film is nominated for the prestigious Golden Camera award. Recently, I learned that another close friend is number 6 in the Top 10 Copywriters in the World as presented in “The Big Won” (a survey of the world’s best marketing communicators as measured by the quantity and quality of awards won). Wow!

Depending on the Bible version you use, the word success appears around 50 times in the Scriptures. Several Bible verses reveal that it isn’t wrong to ask God for success. For example, we read in Psalm 90:17, “May the Lord our God show us His approval and make our efforts successful.”

God wants us to take pleasure in our achievements. It’s a gift from Him, for His glory (Ecclesiastes 5:18-19). However, we need to keep an eye on our ego. Just ask King Uzziah. In 2 Chronicles 26:6-15, we read of his impressive achievements. But the reason for his success is found in verse 5: “As long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.”

Uzziah forgot, however, that God was the One who had helped and blessed him all along. This led to his destruction. God’s Word puts it plainly: “But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall” (v.16).

Think about it: Who gave you the skills that have allowed you to experience success? Perhaps you’ve worked hard. But others have tried just as hard and didn’t make the grade. This leads to the realization that God deserves the credit for any success that comes our way. Let’s celebrate Him and remain humble when we taste success.