"So the last will be first, and the first will be last." Matthew 20:16After watching The September Issue this weekend I started thinking about the phrase "nice guys finish last". I was wondering if to be really successful you have to be harsh, which made me think of this verse. Of course then it is how you define successful. I have to remind myself God's definition is not the same as the earthly definition.
*This is not me judging Anna Wintour, I obviously don't know her and have no room to judge.
What do you think?
10 comments:
My husband and my adult children & I often have this exact discussion. We all agree that typically in our world it is 'nice guys finish last'. Then I think of people such as the founder of TOMS shoes, Blake Mycoskie. Truly an inspiring, socially responsible, caring man; yet successful. But I do think the norm in our society is the more aggressive you are, strong-willed, cut-throat the faster you rise. History proves that fact. I know for one if I had one quarter of that ability to walk over people and not care of what people thought of me, I'd be in a different place. Happier, that is the question. Matthew 20:16 was the perfect psalm. Blessed Sunday to you Marianne.
marianne, this is such a lovely post. i believe in simply "being nice"... it is so easy and always makes for a positive outcome. however, sometimes we get stepped on and it hurts. so do we change? do we become more harsh? no... we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and be the better person. just as God intended for us to be. happy sunday... xx
I guess it depends on how you define "finishing last". It is important to me to put effort into my relationships and to be a good, ethical, contributor to society both in my business and personal life. At the end of the day, it is important to me to know that I have been a good person (and, in a way, I feel like if I accomplished this, I did "finish first").
P.S. Was this just a rhetorical question ;)
Lately I've been trying to remind myself the same thing. Today in Bible study we discussed this very verse and how much in today's society we struggle with earthly success verses heavenly success and we have to keep reminding ourselves that we aren't of this world and that we have to remember that even Christ, in all of his glory, would not be viewed as "successful" by any means. Thank you for this wonderful thought of the day :)
Oh, what a peaceful image....
What a thoughtful post. As always, thanks for sharing!
I completely agree, which is what makes living according to the Bible so counter cultural so often... I am just now starting to see that more and more and I grow and experience more of the world.
Great post, very encouraging :)
Unfortunately, I really do think there's a lot of truth that nice guys do finish last - so very unfair :(
great example of the difference in the world's "first" and the kingdom's "first." when you think of them as completely separate it's easier to understand the discrepancy, you know?
my grandmother wrote my sister a letter when she graduated from high school, and one line of it still resonates with me: "I hope find success, however you choose to define it." I just love that!
I always read your Sunday blogs. This one made me think...An eternal perspective changes the equation. Sometimes in the here and now the top dog is the hard-driving so'n so...but given time that hard-driver may wish he/she had slowed down smelled the roses, enjoyed family and friends, and valued love and joy more than fame and fortune. By the way, you may enjoy my newest post, it is about my daughter's apt. She is undoubtedly more your age! http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/04/pass-it-on.html?spref=fb
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