Among the
more than 19,000 original epigrams penned by chemist and writer Dr. O. A.
Battista is this wise observation: “You have reached the pinnacle of success as
soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.”
Unfortunately, just the opposite often happens when something we have done is
praised and rewarded. A humble heart can quickly become a swelled head.
Just
before Saul was anointed king, he saw himself as a member of an insignificant
family in the smallest tribe of Israel (1 Sam. 9:21). Within a few years,
however, he had erected a monument in his own honor and had become the supreme
authority for his conduct (15:11-12). The prophet Samuel confronted Saul for
his disobedience to God by reminding him, “When you were little in your own
eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the Lord anoint
you king over Israel?” (v.17).
Self-importance
is the first step down the slippery slope of what we call success. It begins
when we claim credit for God-given victories and modify His commands to suit
our desires.
True success is staying on God’s path by following His Word and giving Him praise instead of craving it for ourselves.
