Icebreaker
• As the first day of January 2024 approached, Ben sat quietly reflecting on the previous year.
• At forty-three years of age, he felt disappointed that his life had not turned out the way he had hoped.
• While many people prepared to celebrate the New Year, Ben prepared a long list of resolutions.
• One decision stood out above all the others: he would withdraw from every ministry and service he rendered in the Church.
• He convinced himself that serving God had consumed valuable time that could have been used to pursue wealth and personal advancement.
• He decided to contact his former schoolmate, Sam, whose luxurious lifestyle had long attracted attention.
• Although rumours suggested that Sam’s wealth came from illegal and dishonest dealings, Ben had always rejected his invitations because they conflicted with his Christian faith.
• This time, however, frustration clouded his judgment.
• “What has serving God really brought me?” he lamented. “The little I have has been exhausted through donations, levies, and Church commitments.”
• Standing at the threshold of a new year, Ben faced a far deeper question than simply making resolutions: Can serving God ever become an obstacle to genuine success
Does Serving God Prevent Human Progress?
Ben believed that his involvement in Church activities had hindered his personal advancement. Like many people, he concluded that if he devoted less time to God and more time to making money, success would naturally follow.
This, however, is a mistaken understanding of both God and human flourishing.
Far from opposing human progress, God desires the authentic development of every person. He is the source of every good gift and the One who equips human beings with talents, intelligence, creativity, opportunities, and freedom. Serving God does not diminish these gifts; rather, it orders them toward their proper purpose.
Jesus teaches:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you as well” (Mt. 6:33).
This passage does not imply that Christians should abandon work, neglect responsibility, or spend every hour within the walls of the Church. Rather, it teaches that God should occupy first place in our lives so that every other aspect of life—including work, family, finances, and personal ambitions—finds its proper order.
A productive Christian life therefore requires balance. Excessive involvement in Church activities that neglects one’s legitimate responsibilities may be imprudent, just as total neglect of God in pursuit of wealth is spiritually dangerous.
Ben’s mistake was not his desire to improve his life. His mistake was assuming that God had become the obstacle instead of recognizing Him as the true source of wisdom, direction, and blessing.
Can Wealth Obtained Without God Ever Bring Lasting Happiness?
Frustrated by years of perceived disappointment, Ben considered joining Sam’s questionable business ventures.
This temptation illustrates a common danger: when legitimate success seems delayed, dishonest alternatives often appear attractive.
Christianity does not condemn wealth. Neither does it glorify unnecessary poverty. Honest work, responsible stewardship, entrepreneurship, and financial prosperity are all compatible with Christian discipleship when pursued according to God’s will.
However, the means by which wealth is acquired matter just as much as the wealth itself.
Illegal business, corruption, fraud, exploitation, and dishonest practices may produce temporary riches, but they cannot produce genuine peace, lasting happiness, or God’s blessing.
The Psalmist reminds us:
“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Ps. 34:10).
Likewise,
“Do not fret because of the wicked… for they will soon fade like the grass” (Ps. 37:1–2).
Material prosperity obtained through injustice is often fleeting. What appears impressive today may quickly disappear tomorrow.
Ben admired Sam’s wealth but overlooked the uncertainty, fear, and spiritual emptiness that often accompany dishonest living.
True prosperity includes peace of conscience, integrity, meaningful relationships, spiritual freedom, and hope of eternal life—blessings no amount of money can purchase
What Is the Christian Understanding of Success and Hard Work?
One reason Ben became discouraged was that he compared his life with those who appeared more successful than himself.
Yet the Christian understanding of success differs significantly from the world’s standards.
First, there are universal principles of success that apply to everyone. Diligence, discipline, perseverance, honesty, wise planning, continuous learning, and responsible stewardship generally produce positive results regardless of one’s religious affiliation.
Secondly, Scripture rejects laziness.
St. Paul clearly teaches:
“If anyone is unwilling to work, neither should that person eat” (2 Thess. 3:10).
Christian faith therefore encourages productive work, not passive dependence.
Thirdly, not every success should be measured by financial wealth alone.
Some possess enormous riches but lack peace.
Others enjoy modest means yet live fulfilled, generous, joyful, and meaningful lives.
St. Paul exhorts Christians:
“Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom. 12:2).
The Christian evaluates success not merely by possessions but by faithfulness, integrity, service, holiness, and obedience to God’s will.
This does not discourage ambition.
Rather, it purifies ambition.
God desires His children to excel—but never at the expense of truth, justice, or salvation
How Should Christians Make Meaningful New Year Resolutions?
The beginning of a new year offers an opportunity for honest self-examination.
Ben was right to reflect on his life.
He was right to desire improvement.
What needed correction was the foundation upon which he built his resolutions.
Christian resolutions should never be driven merely by frustration, envy, comparison, or impatience.
Instead, they should be rooted in prayer, discernment, and realistic planning.
Helpful goals should be SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant (or Realistic)
Time-bound
Good planning, however, does not eliminate dependence upon God.
Rather, Christians are called to work diligently while entrusting the outcome to divine providence.
A helpful principle is this:
Work as though everything depends on your effort, and pray as though everything depends on God.
This balance avoids both laziness and self-reliance. Some people inherit wealth or begin life with greater opportunities than others. Such advantages should not discourage those who start with less. Every person’s journey differs, and comparison often robs people of gratitude and perseverance.
Ben’s greatest resolution should therefore not have been abandoning God but renewing his commitment to faithful service while improving his diligence, skills, planning, and productivity.
What Can Ben's Story Teach Every Christian Entering a New Year?
As midnight approached on New Year’s Eve, Ben stood at an important crossroads.
One path promised quick wealth through questionable means.
The other required continued trust in God, honest labour, patient perseverance, and faithful service.
Every Christian eventually faces similar moments.
The temptation to abandon moral principles for immediate success remains real.
Yet Scripture continually reminds us that God’s blessings cannot be separated from God’s ways.
Serving God is never wasted.
Acts of charity.
Faithful worship.
Generous service.
Honest work.
Patient perseverance.
Daily prayer.
These are not obstacles to success but foundations upon which lasting success is built.
The Psalmist confidently declares:
“I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread” (Ps. 37:25).
This does not promise a life free from hardship. Rather, it assures believers that God never abandons those who faithfully walk with Him.
Conclusion: Beyond Ben's Resolution
At the beginning of the year, Ben believed that leaving God behind would help him move ahead. In reality, true progress begins not by abandoning God but by placing Him at the very centre of every plan.
The New Year invites Christians to set meaningful goals, work diligently, develop new skills, manage time wisely, and pursue excellence with integrity.
Yet above every resolution stands one enduring truth:
God deserves our service not merely because of what He gives us, but because of who He is.
When Christians seek first God’s kingdom, labour honestly, and entrust their efforts to divine providence, they discover a success that is not only productive but also peaceful, fulfilling, sustainable, and ultimately salvific.
As we begin every new year, may our first resolution always be to walk more closely with God, knowing that the greatest achievement is not merely to become wealthy, but to become faithful.
For when God crowns our efforts, He gives not only success for this life but also the hope of eternal life.
Cornelius Okolo
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