The Satisfaction Of The Appetite For Success

1) It is a good thing to desire great things, that is, to have an appetite for success.

 

2) It is not enough just to have an appetite for success. Due diligence and hard work must be put in to satisfy your appetite and guarantee your success.

 

3) There is a reward for your efforts. When you put in much into life, you will enjoy true fulfillment and satisfaction. 

 

To explain further,

1) Having an appetite for success:

The word, “appetite” means, “a strong desire, eagerness or longing for something.” An appetite for success would mean a strong desire, eagerness or longing to succeed. Now, success to me is living your most fulfilled life – becoming all that God wants you to be to the fullest. 

 

To truly succeed in life, you need to be hungry for it. Let’s take an example with food. You would agree that once you are hungry or you crave a particular food, you become restless and that particular food becomes the only thing on your mind. You can do whatever you can within your means to satisfy that craving. Once you get it, however, you feel satisfied. But where did it all start? From a longing; a craving; a strong desire and an appetite. 

 

God’s Word says we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). We are to have a “healthy” appetite for it. God wants us to be hungry to become His best for us. We see Jesus having an appetite to succeed in His mission. The apostles did too, and so did the prophets and great men and women of God (Jn. 4:34, Acts 4:20, Jer. 20:9). 

 

He says that when we have this hunger – this appetite, we will be filled. We will become successful. 

 

But is that all that there is to it?

 

2) Working towards satisfying your appetite:

 

In God’s Word in Prov. 13:4, we see two kinds of people: The sluggards; slothful or lazy people, and The diligent or hardworking people.

 

Now, the Bible tells us that having an appetite will lead to us being filled. But how? By moping at God till He gives us this success? No! Rather, by working out our salvation with fear and trembling as He enables us (Phil 2:12-13). So, there is a place for work. Not just any kind of work, but hard work. 

 

If you truly desire success, then you must be willing to put in the yardwork, beyond just having the mere appetite for it. If you desire much in life, then you must put in much (Mk. 4:24). Staying idle complaining about the economy, or whining about how your parents never provided enough will only make you end in penury. 

 

No person who became truly successful did not work hard for it. God worked and still does so (Gen. 1:1, Jn. 5:17, Phil. 2:13). So did all the people He used. In fact, when we practically did not need to till the ground for it to yield, God’s command was to ‘work’ it (Gen. 2:15). If we are to be truly productive and not mere good-for-nothings, then we must work. And not just any sort of work that dishonors God, but legal and noble work.

 

So, we see that it does not just end in having an appetite, it takes work to satisfy that appetite. The cup won’t lift itself miraculously to your lips to quench your thirst, you know. 

 

What then happens when we put in the work?

 

3) Enjoying the satisfaction of your success:

The last words of Prov. 13:4 have something to say about the one who is diligent. It says such a person will, “prosper and be satisfied” according to the New Living Translation. Other translations use the words, “will be abundantly supplied,” “made fat,” “will have something to show for their lives” and ” shall be made rich.”

 

So, this makes us understand that success does not just end in a longing or just working your life out. But God promises that your appetite and hard work will be rewarded with an abundance; with fatness; with something meaningful to contribute to society and with satisfaction and fulfillment.

 

After Jesus had completed His mission on earth (with a strong hunger backed up by loads of work), He received His reward of having a name above every other name. He is seated at God’s right hand and remains the most important person in the whole of history (Phil 2:5-11). Now, that’s some reward for an appetite backed up by hard work. I know He is satisfied and fulfilled. God gives such to the one who has proved himself/herself worthy.

 

With that said, Proverbs 13:4 teaches us that success must be driven by a healthy appetite, backed up with due and appropriate action and carries with it a reward of abundance and fulfillment to the one who has played his/her part.

 

How do you plan on being a success today?