3 Biblical measures of Success

Read Genesis 39.

Joseph had been sold as a slave by his own brothers in chapter 37.  The slave traders took him to Egypt where he was bought by Pharaoh's captain of the guard.  Joseph was a slave, a household servant, a forgotten prisoner, and successful everywhere he worked!  At first glance, this makes no sense.  Human evaluations of success typically include climbing a positional ladder and acquiring more wealth.

Joseph's outward circumstances changed several times.  Each time the change was always worse.  Yet, he showed himself faithful and diligent in his work.  He was completely trusted by those over him.  In resisting Potiphar's wife, Joseph took the right action and suffered for it.  Being falsely accused, he then was thrown in prison and forgotten.  But even in prison, he was trusted and successful.

The story drips with consistent displays of Joseph's personal character.  It did not matter where he was, what he was doing, or what others did.  Character coupled with a personal relationship with the Living God is an unbeatable combination.  When he was rejected and all alone, it was the LORD's presence that stood with him in his loneliness.  When others were unkind and cruel, it was the LORD's kindness that got him through it and opened new doors of opportunity for him.  When his good work was not rewarded, the LORD blessed him.

At this point in his life, no one would have used Joseph as an example of success.  God did.  This immediately challenges our common definitions of success and what a successful person looks like.  For help, focus some attention on these three key verses:

v.2 "The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man."

v.21 "But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison."

v.23 "...because the LORD was with him.  And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed."

By these verses, one would conclude that a person is successful if "the LORD is with" them and giving them "favor" in the sight of those around them as they are faithful in fulfilling their responsibilities.    There are three parts to that statement:

1. There is a personal relationship with the LORD.

2. The LORD is showing kindness to them by opening doors of opportunity and blessing the work.

3. The person is diligent and faithful in what God has given them do.