How much money does a person have to make to be a success? How many awards must an individual receive in order to be deemed successful? According to New York Times columnist David Brooks, even if you achieve Hall of Fame success status like some great athletes, it might not be enough. Brooks said some athletes simply can’t see past themselves:
Self-preoccupied people have trouble seeing that their natural abilities come from outside themselves and can only be developed when directed toward something else outside themselves. Enclosed in self, they come to believe that their talents come from self [and are for themselves]. . . .
Locked in a cycle of insecurity and self-validation, their talents are never enough, and they end up devouring what they have been given.
According to the writer of 1 Chronicles, David didn’t have a problem seeing that all he had came from outside himself and that his fame was to be directed toward Someone outside himself. After the people gave generously toward the construction of the “holy Temple” (1 Chronicles 29:3), David praised God (1 Chronicles 29:10). The king declared that God was eternal, all-powerful, and sovereign over all (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). In spontaneous gratitude, David thanked and praised the Lord as the source of all personal and corporate greatness, strength, and wealth—acknowledging the insignificance of those things and his dependence on Him. Then he assured God that He could rejoice over His people, for the resources the people had given flowed from hearts motivated by integrity, willingness, and joy (1 Chronicles 29:17).
The cure to self-preoccupation is to look outside ourselves and worship and praise God as the eternal and sovereign source of all we have!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 1:5-27
More:
Read 2 Chronicles 26:1-23 to see a king who became filled with pride and what God did to humble him.
Next:
When are you most tempted to forget that God is the source of the good and success you have enjoyed? For what gifts, abilities, wealth, success, and achievement will you thank and praise God right now?
Gary Shultz on April 11, 2015 at 8:32 am
Possibly one reason why older folks are some of the grumpiest folks you’ll find or the most radiant, is the fact of which you speak. Whether we like it or not those natural talents wither away and we just have what is left. When I leave the doctors office with a good report I hold up the paper and say, thank you God. Life becomes much fuller when your day is filled with thank yous. Thank you.
marvin williams on April 13, 2015 at 8:28 am
Gary, thanks for adding your voice. Gratitude and humility are so important in talking about this topic. when we freshen up our gratitude to God like you are doing, life can’t help but become more full. Blessings on you.
Mike Wittmer on April 11, 2015 at 11:59 am
This is so true, Marvin, and something that we never stop needing to hear. Even Christians can be competitive, comparing the size of their ministries, blog hits, Facebook likes, etc. And you’re right, once we start down that road it’s never enough.
marvin williams on April 13, 2015 at 8:44 am
Mike, thanks for taking time to respond here. When I wrote this, I thought about much of what you have written here. I have been trying to implement what C. J. Mahanney says about practicing humility: When people complement you or you receive a modicum of success, thank them and silently transfer all credit to God. Trying to live this out regularly is difficult, but that’s the reason we keep practicing, right.