Proverbs 22

What Is the Pathway to Success?

Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

A list of top traits of successful people includes self-confidence, patience, discipline, and integrity, creativity, and responsibility.[i] The writers of the post, however, did not include the two traits the writer of Proverbs gives as most important: humility and fear of the Lord.

That doesn’t surprise me.

In a culture that promotes self-reliance and self-assertion, the idea that the path to success is paved with humble reliance on God and respect for him seems archaic, even foolish. But those of us who have surrendered our life to God realize that laying aside our will and desires to seek his best for our lives is the only path to “wealth and honor and life.”

In the Bible, humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself or being anyone’s doormat. Humility is seeing ourselves as God sees us—someone who has value and purpose because he made us and loves us. Do you see yourself and others that way?

To fear the Lord is to prioritize his values, his desires, and his will over everything and everyone else. If I base my decisions and actions solely on what I think is best or on how I’m feeling at the time, I’m probably headed away from God’s best rather than toward it.

Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31–33).

What are you truly seeking? Do other people’s desires dictate what you do? Maybe, if you’re like me, you sometimes rely more on your feelings than on what God’s Word says is right.

Let’s lay out our ideas of success before the Lord. You may want to join me in this prayer: “Search me, O God, and reveal any misconceptions I have about wealth, honor, and life. Open my eyes and heart to your will, to your desires. I want to live my life in humble reliance on you and respect for you. Amen.”

Dig Deeper

Read Proverbs 22. What other principles does the writer give us that will help us live in humble and respectful reliance on God?

Study Jesus’s words in Matthew 6:19–34. What attitudes will help us develop and maintain a godly perspective on wealth and possessions?

What other attributes are characteristic of those who fear the Lord according to Colossians 3:12–17? Which ones does the Holy Spirit need to cultivate in you?

Denise K. Loock

This devotion is part of our series on the book of Proverbs.

[i] Indeed Editorial Team, “Top 15 Traits of Successful People,” Indeed.com, accessed October 5, 2023, https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/trait-of-successful-people.