The Lord Jesus Christ challenged humanity: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). What defines world success? Power, popularity, wealth, assets, luxurious lifestyle…? Even these profits are temporary, limited to this life, and they also eventually damage and disorient a person. Worldly success could make a person feel like an orphan, with a fragile identity, misplaced security, and discontentment.
Orphan: The superrich and rich people end up as loners, without genuine friends. Relatives may come to get some benefits, not for love, care, and fellowship. Their wealth and status prevent them from associating with most people. Their relationships are damaged by suspicion, envy, and fear.
Fragile identity: Sadly, their identity is fragile. It is given by an external endowment, not by internal reality, traits, or values. The identity would fluctuate with fortune, sometimes high and sometimes low. Hence, there is anxiety about the future. When a person’s identity is not based on a relationship with the eternal God and the absolute truth, it is fragile.
Misplaced security: ‘Money can buy all things,’ is the dictum. Money could be used to manipulate things to control them. In fact, money or mammon is subtly used by Satan to take the place of God. (Matthew 6:24) The rich in the world are advised not to put their trust in their wealth or power that comes with that. (I Timothy 6:17) Those who trust in riches will fail. (Proverbs 11:28)
Discontentment: Also, there is ‘Not enough’ syndrome, and a habit to look towards those who are in a higher status, both to imitate them and attain their level of success. Some others envy and fret. Covetousness and greed motivate a person to grab more and become richer. Their desire and quest are like a bottomless pit that could never be satisfied.
Losing soul: The spiritual death is losing soul. Those who do not receive the Lord of Life will face the Second Death, or the eternal torment in hell, the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 20:14)
Do I pursue worldly success or the life in Christ?