"Paul, on Success" 

I Corinthians 4.2 presents the Apostle Paul's approach to 'success.' It's pretty obvious that Paul wasn't into get-rich-quick schemes or overnight successes.

1. So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 
2. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 
3. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 
4. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 
5. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. 
6. Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 

If 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' how much more so is 'success.' For one, 'success' may be merely having a job - while for another, promotion after promotion might not be enough to allay a sense of never 'arriving.'

Then there are always the bystanders who are investing themselves in your success or someone else's failure. If they deem you 'successful' then they are somehow more important than someone with ties to an individual they have placed in some perspective of competition with you.

Sound weird or implausible? Just look at all the money spent on sports memorabilia...even jerseys with someone else's name and number on the back. Do they really think they'll be able to run faster and jump higher since they are dressed up as some well-known quarterback or stand-out NBA player? Does it make them feel more important? If my cap has the symbol and colors of the Red Sox and yours has those of St. Louis, does that mean I'm a winner and you are a loser?

How ludicrous! Yet people did that with Apollos and Paul, Peter and other of the apostles. People still do that today. Hardly a day goes by but what someone proudly asserts to me that they are a member of 1st such-a-church, "you know, the biggest church in the state!" Or, "you've probably heard of '(insert first name of famous televised preacher from 1st such-a-church)!' "

Shirt-tale successes. Groupies for mega-stars, whether in the sports world or the religious world - whether in the first century or today. Basically Paul was saying to the folks at Corinth, GET A LIFE! Each of us are merely 'servants of Christ.' The ONLY thing that is important is that we are 'faithful' to the 'trust' that is our role and responsibility as Christians.

Success? Most people don't recognize it when they rush right past it. They are too busy trying to get the attention of someone they have identified as 'successful.'