The Temptation of Success

I just finished reading a biography of Billy Joel. His personal life seems to offer yet another example of success messing somebody up.

Why is this so common? For starters, you have money to buy whatever you desire (not necessarily a good thing). Then everyone says how great and wonderful you are. People even line up to have sex with you. And, consequently, few mortals handle this well. Music legend Dick James once remarked, “The artist on his way up lives with failure, magnificently. I’ve never yet met one who could live with success.”

Last week, I overheard someone vociferously criticizing Tiger Woods. Of course, his alleged behavior is wrong. But I thought to myself, “You have no idea what it’s like to be Tiger Woods.” Beautiful women were always eager to please him. And, without question, he failed this test. But think about the millions of married men who don’t have beautiful women chasing them…and they also fail the test.

What’s my point? Our country rightly celebrates success, but success is dangerous. And while many of us call on God during tough times, we also need His help when life is great. Experience shows even modest levels of success make us vulnerable.

Wherever life takes you, turn to God for help.

“Man is tested by the praise he receives.” (Proverbs 27:22)