Various cultures around the world view or define success differently than other cultures. Oddly enough, even within the same culture, success is often defined differently.

Exploring the way God defines success is a bit more challenging, yet far more important to consider.

We cannot help but acknowledge that the most common factor defining success is quantitative. An increase identified with a specific number determines the measure of success achieved. Thus, from a corporate perspective, increasing the profit margin generally defines the success of the company.

An increase in the number of people assembling with the church on Sunday physically aligns with the idea of success as secularly defined.

We recognize the success of the 3,000 who were baptized on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-41). If we examine the context of Acts 2 and other passages throughout the Bible, we will find that the success of this event was not measured by the number involved, but by those who followed the word of the Lord.

When it comes to defining success, as God defines it, a good place to start is 1 Samuel 15:22-23.