For a number of years now, there have been those who have promoted a philosophy of focusing on self. In their scheme of life, self is at the center of everything. Armed with the tools of possibility thinking and the power of positive thinking, self, they say, can achieve anything it wants. The name of the game is "winning." Self aggrandizement has led the "ME generation" to strive for that top rung on the ladder... to be number one! They believe winning is the only thing. No one loves a loser. But does everyone win? Look out for that success trap!

Modern psychology has reinforced the worship of self by denying responsibility. The contention is that if we have problems, if things go wrong, if we’re not successful, it’s because of other people, other things, or our own wrong-thinking about ourselves. All we really require is to have the proper self-esteem and to realize the "dignity of the person." Then we can pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps, be whatever we want to be, get whatever we want. We can crawl to the top of the success ladder even if it means having to step on a few people on the way up. But is success guaranteed? And is that the right way to attain it?

Regretfully, this excessive focusing on self, and the success orientation that follows, has infiltrated Christian thinking. The tendency for some believers is toward worshiping the creature (self) rather than the Creator. To some of us, what matters most is what makes us feel good about ourselves. Traditional theological starting points, such as concepts about Scripture and God, are no longer popular. Instead, because of erroneous Bible doctrine or by just wanting to imitate the secular world, there are many who believe and are preaching a "prosperity gospel."

These proponents contend we are not only to look to God for eternal salvation and for all of the spiritual blessings that accrue to us, but we are to expect God to provide us with all the "success" we can stand and all the happiness we desire. Furthermore, we should also abound in material blessings and enjoy perfect health. Is that what God has promised for His people today in the dispensation of His grace? Look out for that spiritual success trap?

Of course, God puts no premium on ignorance or failure. God expects us to use whatever intelligence He has given us to achieve whatever measure of success we can. In our American free-enterprise economic system, ingenuity and hard work do pay off. There is nothing wrong with success or material wealth, as long as it is rightfully attained. The only admonition Paul gives those who are rich in this world’s goods is that they not be proud, not set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, and to be liberal and generous, ready to give to others who may be in need (I Tim. 6:17-18).

The practice of claiming what we want by faith may be appealing--but it is an appeal to self. Its understanding of God is contrary to the Bible. It does not place faith in God, but tries to force God to do our bidding. The problem with the "name-it-and-claim-it" success philosophy is that besides being wrong Bible doctrine for this dispensation of Grace, it can produce some very traumatic fallout. If we pray for physical healing, financial gain, or whatever we think we need to make us happy, and then come to realize that these miracles didn’t happen in our life (because God has not promised that they would), then what do we do? We probably end up blaming ourselves or circumstances, or worst of all, blaming God.

To be sure, there is nothing in the scriptures for the Body of Christ that promises success or material blessings. We are not exempt from failure and suffering.

There is nothing that says we will have no trials and tribulations in the world such as are common to man. We live in a fallen world and wrestle with our own fallen nature. Besides, we must also contend with the fallen nature of everyone else around us.

Lest all this sounds too grim, we should hasten to say that it’s not necessary for us to play the role of a martyr--to merely grit our teeth and suffer. The Christian life ought to be a celebration of the way God has equipped us to face whatever difficulties come into our life’s path. God’s grace is sufficient. We can trust God and the leading of His Holy Spirit to allow us whatever the circumstances, to experience peace and joy and victory.

The Apostle Paul, who seemingly never attained worldly riches and success (by world standards) had few friends and many enemies. By his own admission, he was oftentimes cold and hungry. He endured imprisonment, was beaten, stoned, suffered shipwreck, and yet he could say, "For I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content" (Phil. 4:11). That’s the secret!

Paul knew we ought not look to circumstances to prove God’s love, but to focus our vision on Calvary and all that was accomplished there on our behalf. Paul knew how it felt to be abased, and he knew what it was like to abound. To him, fame and fortune, worldly possessions and success, were all counted as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord (Phil. 3:8). His eyes were not on himself or on the things of this world, but he was pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14). Let us follow Paul as he followed Christ.