The Measure of Success

 What is the measure of success? Bigger is better? Nickels, noses, and noise? Are we following what the Bible teaches? Or are we forcing the Word of God to reflect our worldly world view?

Pastor Mitchell was a good man. Was he the best preacher? The best pastor? The best leader? What did pastor Mitchell do that triggered revival? What inner weight of righteousness prompted the Holy Spirit to be poured out on a tiny church in Prescott?

Solomon was one of the greatest kings of his era. And yet he understood that it was by luck of birth that he became king. That it was God, not Solomon, who made him great. Wise king Solomon even wrote;  "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all."

I have heard men at conference speak words that were not worth hearing. They have bigger churches, but they are not bigger men. I know that there are couples who dread attending any conference because they feel worthless and unwanted because they have a small church. So here is a question we must answer: are the average churches as valuable as the larger ones? Is a church of 75 as valuable as the church of 700? If the churches of 500 or more are what is important, then let those churches have the conference for the elites and let the rest of us stay home.

I want to remind us all of a basic Bible doctrine. " For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

We are only saved because God is rich in mercy. He gives us faith to be saved. He loved us before we ever even thought about Christ. Ministry of any kind is a gift of Divine grace, not innate ability. Our righteousness is still filthy rags no matter how influential we become.

The danger for our Fellowship is that we adopt the error of meritocracy into our structure. 

"Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fall down before before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." Revelation 4:9-11

I know that the wisdom of the poor is despised. But they are still wise. Wisdom is justified. Success does not make you smarter or wiser or morally superior. It makes you lucky.