Don Wildmon

AFA/AFR founder

February 1995 – One of the problems we have, walking this route we call life, is keeping our journey on course. We are told, time and again, that the goal in life is to be successful. That if we aren’t successful – according, of course, to the world’s definition of success – we are a failure.

The Carpenter once told a parable about this dilemma in which we find ourselves. It is commonly called the parable of the talents. One man was given five talents, and he produced ten. Another man was given two talents, and he produced two. Finally, a third man was given one talent, and he lost it because he didn’t use it. That, you know, is a general rule of life. If you don’t use the talent you have, you usually lose it.

Many times over the last 18 years, I have been asked about how successful my efforts have been. Usually that question is posed by a liberal reporter who thinks I am going to start bragging. I always respond by saying that in some areas I have been successful, in others I have not. You see, it is my belief that God does not require us to be successful, only faithful.

Remember what the faithful servants were told: “Well done, good and faithful servant....” They were not told: “Well done, good and successful servant.” There is a difference, and it is as wide as the oceans. Being faithful and being successful are entirely different routes in life.

God does not require that we be successful. He only requires that we be faithful. Whether or not we are successful isn’t always within our determination. Being faithful is.

It took me a while to learn the difference between the two. Early in my ministry I confused success with faithfulness. I wanted to be successful, simply because I wanted to win the favor of others. But my thinking changed – became clearer – on this subject. That is when I decided I would spend my life trying to be faithful rather than successful. I am in total control over whether or not I can be faithful. I do not have total control over whether or not success will be mine.

There have been a few times in my life when I questioned whether or not I have chosen the right path. But after studying the two, I always come back to the conclusion that I made the right choice. Faithfulness is always to be desired over success.

At 57, I’m now in the stage of growing older. Two heart attacks and age have confirmed my decision to pursue faithfulness even at the cost of success. One day I will exit the stage of earthly life. Whether or not I have been successful as the world judges success will count for nothing. Whether or not I have been faithful will count for everything. God will not judge me on my success. He will judge me on my faithfulness.

I’m looking forward to hearing my decision reconfirmed by God when He says: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”