This is hard to say, “I would rather be faithful than successful”.
Consider this sweeping premise: To be faithful in failure is more significant than being satisfied with success.
I’ll open my heart. My life, perhaps like yours, has experienced real setbacks. Certain episodes, some may term failure. Likewise, ministry in the byways and boonies is sometimes frustrating, often fatiguing. One thing, I can attest by grace, I have been faithful. I have walked with the Lord through thick and thin. In ministry, I have stayed the course for thirty plus years and counting. My message is consistent. I’m frail but I persevere. Dare I be so bold as to quote II Tim 4:7, “I have run race...” .
The flip side of the coin finds many who struggle to handle excess success. A litany of celebrities and sports legends discover money and accolade prove a deadly cocktail. We have heard the empty cry from wealthy tycoons, who live, only to die in lonely cocoons wrapped in suspicion. Howard Hughes comes to mind.
Now application: faithfulness is nothing to sneeze at. For the guy who gets up every morning and goes to a factory where he doesn’t want to be. His family needs to eat. Faithful. A young mom fed up with dirty dishes and diapers. She keeps on. Faithful. That lonely elder in a care home just wants to go home. Somehow, they struggle through another day. Faithful. Unsung folk like that do not make headlines, they just make a difference.
Remember Jesus’ words about the Pharisees and their sought-after spiritual acclaim? He candidly remarked, “They already have their reward.” Perhaps those who enjoy the fruits of success, have their fill now. Don’t get me wrong, success isn’t a bad thing! I would be quite willing to absorb a little more good fortune. Still, our Lord assured, “blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Looking at Jesus’ life on this planet, it is a stretch to call Him successful. It is spot-on to deem him faithful.
Walk with Him, and you just may prove successful at being faithful!