The Bible is God’s Word. That means it is His roadmap for our lives as believers. It shows us what to do and how to do it, where to go and how to get there. If you’ve ever searched for a Bible verses about success, you’ll find that Scripture is full of wisdom on achieving it God’s way.
So, if we are looking for a pathway to success, we have to know what the Bible says about success. Truth is, if we don’t gain success God’s way then we really aren’t successful at all.
Examples of success
When you study what the Bible says about success, you can take two approaches. The first is to look at the examples of men and women who found success God’s way. The Bible is filled with narratives of people—ordinary people like you—who chose to follow God’s plan instead of their own. It might not have made sense from the world’s perspective, but their examples teach us how to pursue God’s definition of success.
For example, Abraham was already a wealthy man when God called him in Genesis 12. But he really didn’t find success until he surrendered his life to the Lord’s plans and purposes. His great-grandson, Joseph, was sold into slavery and later was thrown into prison. But he was a success long before he was exalted to Egypt’s second-in-command because he trusted God each step of the way.
Other great characters like Moses, Ruth, Samuel, David, Hezekiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and the New Testament apostles all found genuine success in life because they embraced God’s design. They shaped what the Bible says about success because they lived out God’s principles for success each day.
Verses About Success
The second way to study what the Bible says about success is to meditate on individual verses about success. These key verses support the choices made by successful men and women in the Scriptures. As a result, they show us what biblical success really looks like in practical terms.
Below, I’ve listed 10 verses that provide a snapshot of what the Bible says about success. Honestly, these just scratch the surface. But they can help us get started on a journey toward understanding and applying God’s principles for success—genuine success that ultimately revolves around His plans, not our own.
“Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established” – Proverbs 16:3
If you’re looking for a solid summary of what the Bible says about success, this verse hits the spot. As we’ve seen already, you have to do things God’s way if you want to succeed. This truth is repeated across the Scriptures, and it encapsulates the biblical path to success.
“For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?” – Matthew 16:26
Apparently, materialism and the chase for “a little bit more” was just as prevalent in the first century as it is in the 21st century. Jesus warned His audience about the dangers of chasing the stuff of this world instead of measuring success by their walk with God. The rules haven’t changed over two millennia. That’s why this verse about success stands the test of time.
“This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do” – Joshua 1:8
If you want to put something together the right way, you need to look at the manufacturer’s instructions. If you want to build a genuinely successful life, you need to read the “how to” guide provided by your Creator. The Bible is not just some book filled with inspirational quotes about success. It’s your guide to doing life His way—which is the only way to succeed.
“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” – Luke 6:38
Conventional wisdom holds that you’ll never get ahead by giving stuff away. And while there is an argument to be made for wise investment and careful stewardship, when you look at what the Bible says about success you see a lot about generosity. When we give, God provides more, both to meet our needs and to be a channel of His blessings to others. This isn’t a promise for material wealth, but it is a guaranteed way to experience success by God’s definition.
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success” – Ecclesiastes 10:10
When it comes to inspirational Bible quotes about success, this might not be at the top of most people’s lists. Yet, it’s hard to escape its practicality. If you want to experience genuine success, you have to do the little things well. Like a woodsman sharpens his ax, guys like us need to focus on preparation and perseverance. Then, when the time comes, we’ll be ready for action. After all, it takes years to become an overnight success!
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” – Romans 8:28
This is another Bible verse about success that takes the focus off our own abilities and places it squarely on God’s power. It also reminds us that He can make lemonade out of lemons. Even when we’re struggling, He is at work. When doing the right things isn’t producing the desired results, we can trust Him. By His standards, deeper trust and stronger faith in Him define success. They are the final destination.
“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous abandoned or his children begging for bread” – Psalm 37:25
I absolutely love this verse about success, mainly because it reminds me of the legacy my parents and grandparents have passed to me. I come from a long line of faith. And, in all my years, I know that God never abandoned my family. Across multiple generations, He has met every need, every time. We have tasted success because we have counted on God to come through in good seasons and in lean years. That’s a truth the Bible emphasizes when it talks about success.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” – 2 Timothy 4:7
The life and ministry of Paul helped shape what the Bible says about success. His example reminds us that true success requires a future focus. Everything he did on earth was designed to point others toward eternity. So, as he approached the end of his life, he could say with confidence that he wasn’t stuck on the bench. He was sprinting toward the finish line. His ultimate reward was getting closer, and he made the most of his opportunities. That’s a great way to understand success.
“There is profit in all hard work, but endless talk leads only to poverty” – Proverbs 14:23
This is another one of those “success verses” that probably won’t end up on a poster in some guy’s dorm room. But it’s still true. While God plays a huge role in our success, we have to put in some work. Talking about success and talking about the Christian life is not enough. The profit—the success—comes from getting down to business and living our faith out each day. God provides the plan. We execute the plan. That’s a not-so-hidden secret of biblical success.
“His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy” – Matthew 25:21
We started this list with a summary statement that defined success as doing God’s things God’s way. We wrap it up with a reminder of the payoff. We’ve covered a lot of ground in considering what the Bible says about success. But it’s good to remember the goal is to hear a “well done” from our Master when everything is said and done. When we stand before Him and get His final blessing, we will know what success really means.
A Tale of Two Men
In 1 Samuel 18:12-14, we see a contrast between two men: Saul and David. On one hand, Saul had the power and the position. He was king, but he was afraid of David because the Lord’s Spirit was no longer an active part of Saul’s life. He had started well on the road toward success in God’s eyes, but he had stumbled along the way. Now, his life was starting to fall apart.
On the other hand, David was a humble shepherd boy who had been working his way up the ranks. Now, he was beginning a stint as a commander in Israel’s army. His decisions always seemed to work to perfection, but his success was not the result of a charmed life. The Bible says that David thrived where Saul failed. He remained faithful to God, so the Lord was with him.
As you look at the verses about success listed above, you can see two common denominators: trusting God and obeying God. They really are two sides of the same coin, but they both are essential to understanding what the Bible says about success and being able to live it out in a meaningful way.
Trusting and obeying. It worked for David. It worked for dozens of biblical believers. And it will work for us, as well. It’s how we know what true success is all about.
