The Dangerous Slumber of Success
In this article, we will help you distinguish between biblical and worldly prosperity, recognize attacks from the enemy, and help you steward what God has entrusted to you for His glory.
The Nature of Prosperity
Success and prosperity can be a blessing from God, but the enemy can also use the pleasures of this world to lead us into spiritual complacency, which can seduce us into what I call a “dangerous slumber.” To better understand the nature of prosperity, we must first discern its source.
Some say prosperity comes from one's own pursuits and worldly success, but true prosperity ultimately comes from the Maker of heaven and earth. He is over all things and the giver of all good things. He has intricately created male and female with unique giftings and abilities which we are to use for His glory.
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”
- Deuteronomy 8:18
Purpose Driven Success
The way we view our purpose and identity in life shapes how we see success.
In the United States, an individualistic culture, success is often measured by personal achievement. It’s common for someone to ask when first meeting another, “What do you do for a living?” as a way of defining identity.
In contrast, many African cultures take a more community-driven approach. Success is measured not by individual accomplishments but by the well-being of the community. When meeting someone new, they might ask, “Where are you from?”—a question that reflects connection and belonging rather than individual achievement.
These cultural differences can help us reflect on how we respond to these questions in our own lives. We can either take them at face value or use them as an opportunity to ponder where our true identity is found and how we are living our lives.
If we take the question at face value, our answer might sound something like,
I am from this state ______ and work at this job ______.
But if we ponder the question’s true intent with our identity and purpose in mind, our response may sound more like,
I am a child of God, and I use the gifts He has given me in this way _______ for His glory.
In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus commands us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” These two commandments are inherently relational, focusing not on personal gain but on our relationship with God and others. Our purpose as believers is to love the Lord with all our hearts and tell others about the good news of salvation and redemption in Christ.
If we approach life with an individualistic mindset, relying solely on our own efforts, we miss the truth that apart from God, we can do nothing (John 15:5), and that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Our life purpose should not be self-centered but God-centered and community-oriented. Success, in God’s eyes, is not measured by what we accomplish alone but by how we live in loving dependence on Him and serve others in love for His glory. Biblical prosperity is not measured by earthly wealth but by storing up treasures in heaven “where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt 6:20).
The Enemy’s Strategy
The devil knows the power that comes through Christ when believers fully walk in His purpose for their lives, and it terrifies him. But the devil has a strategy, and he will do whatever it takes to separate us from our good shepherd, so we become isolated sheep.
Genesis 3 maps out the enemy’s strategy.
Step 1.
He tries to make us doubt the goodness of God.
Step 2.
He entices us with counterfeit pleasures that will make us seem wise in our own eyes.
Step 3.
He tells us that God is withholding good things from us and that we can find success on our own.
Step 4.
When we allow ourselves to be enticed by his counterfeit pleasures, he brings shame into our lives and causes us to isolate ourselves from God.
1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be sober and alert, because the devil prowls around, seeking whom he may devour.
The devil often uses comfort to lull believers into thinking they’ve “arrived,” causing them to worship themselves rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). As a result, this manifests in neglecting spiritual disciplines, not serving others, and failing to use our God-given gifts for His glory. This cycle makes us complacent and spiritually weak, which allows the devil to rock us to sleep in a dangerous slumber of our own success.
“For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.”
- Proverbs 1:32
So why does the devil care so much about our complacency?
The answer is simple he knows he is time-bound in his efforts. The devil knows that Jesus will come back for his people and the devil will be defeated at the end of the age. So, his goal now is to deceive as many of Jesus’s followers as possible before Christ’s return. The Devil is not omnipresent like God, so he uses complacency as a tool to spin webs of comfort around humans to stop or limit their Kingdom impact. When humans become wrapped up in the pleasures of this world, it buys the enemy more time to seek out whom to devour next.
Staying Alert!
As believers, we are told to stay alert for the Lord’s return.
Mark 13:33-37
“Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”
Because we have an enemy, it is essential to guard the doorway of our hearts against his attacks. There is an ongoing battle between good and evil, and both are fighting for our attention. Where we devote this attention can be seen as an investment—whether it is our time, money, or resources. Investing in the fleeting pleasures of this world may yield short-term returns, offering momentary satisfaction or comfort. However, these returns are temporary and often leave us spiritually empty. In contrast, when we invest in our spiritual walk with the Lord and in building His Kingdom, we secure long-term returns—eternal joy, peace, and purpose. Just as wise investors prioritize lasting wealth over quick gains, we must choose to focus on eternal treasures rather than worldly pleasures.
Ask yourself this question: Do I spend more time and effort investing in my retirement savings than I do investing in my spiritual walk with the Lord?
Read Investing in Your Spiritual Journey for further insight.
Stewarding Well
We all have been given gifts and work to do while we wait for the Lord’s return, so let’s steward well what God has entrusted to us and remain awake for His coming. To do so, we must daily choose to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Him (Matthew 16:24).
It is not always easy to deny our fleshly desires for comfort and security, but the Bible tells us to “seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our heavenly treasures will far outweigh anything that this world could ever offer us.
If you have found yourself lulled into a "dangerous slumber," it’s not too late to wake up and actively pursue God’s calling for your life. Throughout Scripture, there are many accounts of Jesus awakening people from both spiritual and physical sleep.
Raising Lazarus from the Dead
John 11:11-14
John 11:43-44
Raising Jairus’s Daughter
Mark 5:39-42
The Valley of Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37:5-6
Ezekiel 37:10
Spiritual Awakening
Ephesians 5:14
Faith & Finance Perspective
So how do we stay spiritually awake and engaged in our mission? Here are some helpful ways to steward what God has given while remaining vigilant in your walk with the Lord.
1. Recognize That It All Belongs to God:
Understand that your finances are God’s, and you are His steward. Use your money to glorify Him by prioritizing Kingdom work over earthly pursuits.
2. Give Generously and Faithfully:
Commit to tithing 10% or more of your income to your church and giving generously to those in need. Generosity reflects God’s love and advances His work in the world.
3. Invest in Your Spiritual Growth:
Budget for resources that deepen your faith, such as Bible study tools, mission trips, or conferences, and support activities that strengthen your walk with the Lord.
4. Use Your Resources to Serve Others:
Leverage your spiritual gifts and finances to bless others. Consider taking a spiritual gifts test. Once you find out what your gifts are put them to practice for God’s glory.
5. Pray and Trust God’s Guidance:
Stay alert by seeking God’s wisdom in all decisions including your finances. Pray over your budget, spending, and giving, trusting that He will guide you to use your resources in ways that honor Him.
And may your hearts be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.
-1 Kings 8:61