23 Biblical Principles of Success

1. Meditate on the Word of God Daily

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. 2 Timothy 3:17

This Book of law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8

Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself, it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

2. Your Goal Must Be to Serve God and His People

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. Matthew 6:33

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Take care of a fig tree and you will have figs to eat. Servants who take care of their master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. Matthew 20:26

The master said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” Matthew 25:23

3. Pray for a Clear Revelation of Your Purpose in Life

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11

Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires; God will satisfy them fully! Matthew 5:6

I ask that your minds may be opened to see the light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people. Ephesians 1:18

 “Call to me, and I will answer you, I will tell you wonderful and marvelous things that  you know nothing about.” Jeremiah 33:3

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

We have courage in God’s presence, because we are sure that he hears us if we ask him for anything that is according to his will. 1 John 5:14

4. Pray for Wisdom and Guidance

To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the LORD. Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn. Proverbs 1:7

Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor. Proverbs 3:16

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. Matthew 13:12

I will do what you have asked.  I will give you more wisdom and understanding than anyone has ever had before or will ever have again. I will also give you what you have not asked for, all your life you will have wealth and honor, more than that of any other king. 1 Kings 3:12-13

Remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to become rich. He does this because he is still faithful today to the covenant that he made with your ancestors. Deuteronomy 8:18

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

The angel told me to give Zerubbabel this massage from the Lord: “You will succeed, not by military might or by your own strength, but by my Spirit.” Zechariah 4:6

Those who depend on their wealth will fall like the leaves of autumn, but the righteous will prosper like the leaves of summer. Proverbs 11:28

 5. Plan Everything Ahead

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it, it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him. Luke 14:28-29

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house. Proverbs 24:27

 An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. Proverbs 20:21

6. Submit Your Plans to the Lord and He Will Bless Them

You may make your plans, but God directs your actions. Proverbs 16:9

Ask the LORD to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out. Proverbs 16:3

Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. Psalm 127:1

The LORD guides people in the way they should go and protects those who please him. If they fall, they will not stay down, because the LORD will help them up. Psalm 37:23-24

People may plan all kinds of things, but the LORD’s will is going to be done. Proverbs 19:21

7. Find Good Mentors

Get all the advice you can, and you will succeed, without it you will fail. Proverbs 15:22

Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice. Proverbs 20:18

Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good, impatience will get you into trouble. Proverbs 19:2

The naive or inexperienced person (is easily misled and) believes every word he hears, but the prudent man (is discreet and astute and) considers well where he is going. Proverbs 14:15

8. Execute Your Plans without Delay

As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. Genesis 8:22

A farmer who is too lazy to plough his fields at the right time will have nothing to harvest. Proverbs 20:4

He who watches the wind waiting for all conditions to be perfect will not sow seed, and he who looks at the clouds will not reap a harvest. Ecclesiastes 11:4

We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. John 9:4

Be dressed and ready for active service, and keep your lamps continuously burning. Luke 12:35

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17

9. Commit yourself in Everything You Do

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for human beings. Colossians 3:23

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Ephesians 6:5-6

 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

Whoever is faithful in small matters will be faithful in large ones; whoever is dishonest in small matters will be dishonest in large ones. Luke 16:10

But now don’t be discouraged, any of you. Do the work, for I’m with you. Haggai 2:4

10. Work Hard In Everything You Do

Work hard at whatever you do, because there will be no action, no thought, no knowledge, no wisdom in the world of the dead, and that is where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:10

So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it filled an entire basket. Ruth 2:17

Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table. Proverbs 14:23

A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies ends up in poverty. Proverbs 28:19

Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows over time. Proverbs 13:11

The more easily you get your wealth, the less good it will do you. Proverbs 20:21

The LORD said, “Jeremiah, if you get tired racing against people, how can you race against horses? If you can’t even stand up in open country, how will you manage in the jungle by the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5

Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty. Proverbs 28:22

11. Pray to Overcome Laziness

Being lazy will make poor, but hard work will make you rich. Proverbs 10:4

Hard work will give you power, being lazy will make you a slave. Proverbs 12:24

No matter how much a lazy person may want something, he will never get it. A hard worker will get everything he wants. Proverbs 13:4

Lazy people stay at home; they say a lion might get them if they go outside. Proverbs 22:13

Lazy people who refuse to work are only killing themselves; all they do is think about what they would like to have. The righteous, however, can give, and give generously. Proverbs 21:26

While we were with you, we used to say to you, “Whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat.” We say this because we hear that there are some people among you who live lazy lives and who do nothing except meddle in other people’s business. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-11

Be lazy if you want to, sleep on, but you will go hungry. Proverbs 19:15

Have a nap and sleep if you want to. Fold your hands and rest awhile, but while you are asleep, poverty will attack you like an armed robber. Proverbs 24:33-34

12. Aim For Quality and Customers Will Follow You

Moses replied, “If you do not go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth.” Exodus 33:15-16

Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men. Proverbs 22:29

For your goods the merchants of Sheba and Raamah exchanged jewels, gold and the finest spices. Ezekiel 27:22

The customer always complains that the price is too high, but then he goes off and brags about the bargain he got. Proverbs 20:14

13. Protect Your Brand

Anyone stupid enough to promise to be responsible for a stranger’s debts deserves to have his own property held to guarantee payment. Proverbs 27:13

If you have to choose between a good reputation and great wealth, choose a good reputation. The rich and the poor have this in common: the LORD made them both. Proverbs 22:1-2

You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise, and you must use full and honest measures. Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 25:13

14. Build Mutually Beneficial Relationships

So they brought their livestock to Joseph, and he gave them food in exchange for their horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and donkeys. That year he supplied them with food in exchange for all their livestock. Genesis 47:17

For day by day men kept coming to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God. 1 Chronicles 12:32

Then you may stay here in our country with us, you may live anywhere you wish, trade freely, and own property. Genesis 34:10

But the king answered, “No, I will pay you for it. I will not offer to the LORD my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing. “And he bought the threshing place and the oxen for fifty pieces of silver. 2 Samuel 24:24

Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. Luke 16:9

15. Associate Yourself with Like Minded People

We’ll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot! Come and join us, and we’ll all share what we steal.” Don’t go with people like that, my child. Stay away from them. They can’t wait to do something bad. They’re always ready to kill. It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching, but people like that are setting a trap for themselves, a trap in which they will die. Robbery always claims the life of the robber — this is what happens to anyone who lives by violence. Proverbs 1:13-19

My brothers and sisters, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. Galatians 3:15

Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone and falls, it’s just too bad, because there is no one to help him. If it is cold, two can sleep together and stay warm, but how can you keep warm by yourself? Two people can resist an attack that would defeat one person alone. A rope made of three cords is hard to break. Ecclesiastics 4:9-12

People learn from one another, just as iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27:17

16. Do Not Be Greedy

“Don’t collect more than is legal,” he told them. Luke 3:13

If you get rich by charging interest and taking advantage of people, your wealth will go to someone who is kind to the poor. Proverbs 28:8

It is a disgrace to be greedy, poor people are better off than liars. Proverbs 19:22

Better to have little, with fear for the Lord, than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. Proverbs 15:16

At every place of worship people sleep on clothing that they have taken from the poor as security for debts. In the temple of their God they drink wine which they have taken from those who owe them money. Amos 2:8

For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world (with all its pleasure), and forfeit his soul? Mark 8:36

Well, religion does make a person very rich, if he is satisfied with what he has. What did we bring into the world? Nothing! What can we take out of the world? Nothing! So then, if we have food and clothes, that should be enough for us. But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and are caught in the trap of many foolish and harmful desires, which pull them down to ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. Some have been so eager to have it that they have wandered away from the faith and have broken their hearts with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! Ecclesiastes 5:10

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

No one can be a slave of two masters; he will hate one and love the other; he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

And he went on to say to them all, “Watch out and guard yourselves from every kind of greed; because a person’s true life is not made up of the things he owns, no matter how rich he may be.” Luke 12:15

I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Matthew 19:24

17. Find Ways to Work Smart and Rest

It is useless to work so hard for a living, getting up early and going to bed late. For the LORD provides for those he loves, while they are asleep. Psalm 127:2

Be wise enough not to wear yourself out trying to get rich.  Proverbs 23:4

18. Invest in Good Employees

The ships carpenters were well-trained men from Byblos. Sailors from every seagoing ship did business in your shops.  Ezekiel 27:9

As Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons to be judges over Israel. Joel and Abijah, his oldest sons, held court in Beersheba. But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice. 1 Samuel 8:1-3

One of Jesus’ disciples, Judas Iscariot — the one who was going to betray him — said, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold for 300 silver coins and the money given to the poor?” He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. He carried the money bag and would help himself from it. John 12:4-6

and asked, “How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?” And they gave him thirty pieces of silver. From that time on, Judas began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus. Matthew 26:15-16

19. Take Care of Your Employees

Do not take advantage of anyone or rob him. Do not hold back the wages of someone you have hired, not even for one night. Leviticus 19:13

When any of my servants complained against me, I would listen and treat them fairly. Job 31:13

Doomed is the man who builds his house by injustice and enlarges it by dishonesty, who makes his countrymen work for nothing and does not pay their wages. Jeremiah 22:13

You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their complains! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty.  James 5:4

And now, you rich people listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes have been eaten by moths. James 5:1-2

Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up riches in these last days. You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. Listen to their complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. James 5:3-4

Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you. James 5:5-6

The rich and the poor have this in common: the Lord made them both. Proverbs 22:2

If you oppress poor people, you insult the God who made them; but kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship. Proverbs 14:31

The LORD Almighty says, “I will appear among you to judge, and I will testify at once against those who practice magic, against adulterers, against those who give false testimony, those who cheat employees out of their wages, and those who take advantage of widows, orphans, and foreigners, against all who do not respect me.” Malachi 3:5

They will throw their money in the streets, tossing it out like worthless trash. Their silver and gold won’t save them on that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their greed can only trip them up. Ezekiel 7:19

They will give back everything they worked for. Their wealth will bring them no joy. For they oppressed the poor and left them destitute. They foreclosed on their homes. They were always greedy and never satisfied. Nothing remains of all the things they dreamed about. Nothing is left after they finish gorging themselves. Therefore, their prosperity will not endure. Job 20:18-21

20. Never Let Go of Your Morals and Values

Greed brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live. Proverbs 15:27

You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:2-3

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways. Proverbs 28:6

It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income gained dishonestly. Proverbs 16:8

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Mark 8:36-37

21. Be Generous In Every way Possible

I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. Genesis 12:1

He gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord. “But you! You have eyes only for greed and dishonesty! You murder the innocent, oppress the poor, and reign ruthlessly.” Jeremiah 22:16-17

Happy is the person who is generous in his loans, who runs his business honestly.  Psalms 112:5

Some people spend their money freely and still grow richer. Others are cautious, and yet grow poorer. Be generous, and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped. Proverbs 11:24-25

Help to carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor. Proverbs 22:9

22. Invest in the kingdom of God

Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal.  Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal.  For your heart will always be where your riches are. Matthew 6:19-21

Command those who are rich in the things of this life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share with others. In this way they will store up for themselves a treasure which will be a solid foundation for the future. And then they will be able to win the life which is true life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Hebrews 6:10

23. Remain Humble and God Will Exalt You

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. 1 Timothy 6:17

Wealth is deceitful. Greedy people are proud and restless like death itself they are never satisfied. That is why they conquer nation after nation for themselves. Habakkuk 2:5

An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper. Proverbs 28:25

Everything that belongs to the world — what the sinful self desires, what people see and want, and everything in this world that people are so proud of — none of this comes from the Father; it all comes from the world. 1 John 2:16

True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life. Proverbs 22:4