March 23 Stay Humble Hustler

 Theme: Success Without Losing Sight of God

Kerry Batchu-Hamilton Kings SDA Church

Scripture: "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." — James 4:10 (NIV)

Success is a blessing, but without humility, it can turn into pride. When we work hard and achieve our goals, it’s easy to think we did it all on our own. But true success comes from God’s favor and guidance. We must always remember to stay humble, even in our victories.

As a child, my dreams were not always pleasant. They often felt too real, and fear gripped me in my sleep. I even prayed for God to take them away. But as I grew, I realized those dreams were reflections of my subconscious fears of the unknown, of failure, of not being enough.

Yet, deep inside, I always wanted success. That desire made me work hard and put my whole heart into everything I did, believing that God was always by my side.

When I left university, I told myself, “I need a job immediately, and I won’t sit and wait for a dream job.” I took action, and God opened a door for me to enter a Manager in Training program. Little did I know, He had even bigger plans.

While I was working, a shift in leadership created an unexpected opportunity, and I was promoted to Manager. It was a dream come true. But success doesn’t always come without challenges. Some people around me constantly pointed out flaws, even though the business was thriving under my leadership. However, God’s favor spoke louder than any opposition. When the international manager visited, they were so impressed with the store that we won a significant amount of money.

That success stirred up jealousy, but through it all, God remained on my side. He reminded me that success doesn’t come from man’s approval but from His divine favor. Even this dream come true cannot compare to the greater dream that awaits us in heaven—sitting at the feet of Jesus, basking in His presence. “Heaven is a school; its field of study, the universe; its teacher, the Infinite One.” — Ellen G. White, Education, p. 301.

Let us not lose out on the eternal joy of heaven for the sake of earthly achievements. As Revelation 21:4 (NIV) reminds us, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Two Key Ways to Stay Humble in Success

1.      Acknowledge God as the Source
"But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth." — Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)
Success is ultimately a gift from God. Recognizing His role keeps us humble and grateful.

2.      Serve Others with a Grateful Heart
"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant." — Matthew 20:26 (NIV)
True greatness is found in serving others, no matter our position.

Success is a blessing, but humility keeps us aligned with God’s purpose. Remember that God is the source of all blessings, and true greatness comes through service. Let’s not chase temporary success at the cost of our eternal reward. Reflect on these:

·         Do you give God the glory for your success?

·         How do you handle challenges that come with success?

·         Are you seeking God first, or only seeking success?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your guidance and provision. I acknowledge that my success comes from You. Help me to remain humble, serve others, and seek You above all else. May I never lose sight of the greater reward—eternity with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.