What does "Successful" Mean?

Have you stopped to think about that?  Society tells us, or at least the culture where I grew up says, that successful is based upon how much money you make.  Even where I live currently a decent number of people determine success by their income.  Is that the only way to be successful?  Others define it by being in a specific self marketing company that is growing in the area -- because they claim that company is all about helping others.  What about other professions that help others?  Parents, nurses, doctors, and teachers are just a few others that are all about helping others.  Are these folks not successful? 

What does the Bible say about success?  Biblical success is all about transformation.  The first step to success in God's eyes is accepting the gift that God gave to us, eternal life through His Son, Jesus.  At this point can transformation begin which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit and not by our own accord.  To continue our transformation, we need to obey God.  God does not care how much money we have, what kind of posessions we own, rather He cares about our devotion to Him.  That is how He measures success. 

A great picture from gotquestions.org showing the difference between Biblical success and society's success:

Picture two hands. In the right hand there are the offer of true contentment, the ability to handle life’s problems without being overcome by them, amazing peace that sees us through all circumstances, wisdom to know what to do, knowledge and constant direction for life, love for others, acceptance of ourselves, joy no matter what, and at the end of life, an eternity with the God who freely gives all these gifts. The other hand holds all the money and power and success the world has to offer, without any of what the right hand holds. Which would you choose? The Bible says, “Where your treasure is, there also is your heart” (Matthew 6:21). That which is in the right hand is the biblical definition of success.

Which would you rather?  I would rather success in God's eyes that's for sure. 

Blessings in Christ,