Want to succeed in 2026? Here’s the secret, according to A.W. Pink
I just watched a video of a young entrepreneur who said his multimillion-dollar success boils down to one thing (beyond having a good product, marketing, and team).
What is it? He said it's having SOPs for everything—standard operating procedures. Basically, written instructions on how to do every job and function in the company.
My initial thought was, "Hmm. I'd like to hear his answer in 5, 10, or 15 years." The reason I reacted this way is that he has no idea what's coming. What if there's a war, recession, new competition, shocking employee theft, he has a personal health crisis, or new technology renders his product obsolete?
Would he have a different answer in hindsight, after living and working for another couple decades? Most assuredly. Even if he's still a roaring success, I bet he would add a few reasons for it besides SOPs.
I think we also need to define success. If all we mean is financial growth, our god is money. But if by "success" we mean living a life pleasing to God and for the benefit of others, we can become wealthy along the way and still glorify Christ with that wealth.
I believe the secret to success is bowing to the sovereignty of God. I was recently reminded how far I have to go in this area.
One night a few weeks ago, I couldn't sleep because I was trying to figure out how to respond in a business situation and maximize our financial results. I even grabbed my phone in the dark and wrote down my thoughts.
The next day, something shifted in my heart. I realized I had barely prayed about the issue. I certainly wasn't waiting on God or acknowledging his will.
This is why A.W. Pink's classic The Sovereignty of God has been such a powerful read for me. He redefines success. Pink writes, "What then was the great purpose for which this world and the human race were created?"
Not to generate human wealth or achievement. No, he says, "The answer of Scripture is, 'The Lord hath made all things for Himself' (Prov. 16:4)" (p. 76).
Our main purpose as leaders should be the same—to glorify God. Not ourselves, a company, or any person. If God chooses to grant us wealth, and we use it to glorify him, what a wonderful blessing. If we aren't successful in the world's eyes, but we bring him glory through our reverence of Christ, our selfless service, or our character, what a wonderful blessing!
In the new year, what will "success" specifically look like for you? Does it look like trusting him, working hard, worshiping him, and fighting against your sin?
I pray the Spirit enables you and me to do these things, to grow in grace and knowledge of him, and to persevere, live and lead like Christ.
Because if we can succeed in this way, 2026 and every year thereafter can be one long answer to the question of what success truly is.
Still growing,
Tom Harper
Founder, BiblicalLeadership.com
LinkedIn profile | My books
 | Tom Harper is publisher of BiblicalLeadership.com and executive chairman of Networld Media Group, a business-to-business publisher and event producer. He has written five books, including Servant Leader Strong: Uniting Biblical Wisdom and High-Performance Leadership (DeepWater Books, 2019) as well as the Christian business fable Through Colored Glasses and its sequel Inner Threat (DeepWater, 2022). Learn More » |
More on Leadership Devotions
- A Christmas truth, a personal regret (by Tom Harper)
- We’re lumps of clay, so let’s lead like it (by Tom Harper)
- Why, God? Grappling with the mystery of God’s sovereignty (by Tom Harper)
- Discerning God’s sovereign will in your leadership (by Tom Harper)
