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Bible Promises About Success

What comes to your mind when you think of “success”? Achievement? Prosperity? Acquiring wealth or influence? Or simply accomplishing the tasks set in front of you?

It is natural to want to be successful in the things you devote your time and effort toward. Whatever ideas or images we associate with the concept of success, it is also important to remember that God wants us to be successful in handling whatever opportunities or challenges show up in our lives.

To help us understand what it really means to succeed, and to find encouragement for when we’re up against tough challenges in our lives, let’s go through the many passages of Scripture that show us how God supports us.

So whether you are taking on a new career or a new position, or facing new life opportunities, or starting a family, or just looking to get better at the things that matter to you, these verses and examples from the Bible can help you grow in wisdom and faith during your journey.

We’ll cover:

We’ll start by explaining what success truly means and how God has helped people succeed in the Bible.

Bible passages that show how God helps His people succeed

Many times, God has demonstrated that He loves and helps those who trust in Him to succeed. Yet, God’s people must understand the biblical concept of success.

It is not necessarily earning tangible and quantifiable things like money and fame. Instead, it is focusing on improvement, growth, and overcoming obstacles that stand in our way.

Seeing how God’s helping hand has led His people to succeed in the past strengthens our trust in His help in our pursuit of success as well.

Here are examples of how God led His people to achieve success in their pursuits:

Joseph’s rise to leadership in Egypt

After being abandoned by his brothers and sold as a slave to Egypt, it would make sense for Joseph to feel extremely discouraged. But instead, he saw God’s great help. God led Joseph step by step, from opportunity to opportunity, and he eventually ended up becoming involved in Egypt’s governmental leadership! Even though he started that journey as a slave!

He had dreams of leadership from a young age, but his life had taken a direction that made it look very unlikely for those dreams to come true.

After starting out as a slave in Egypt, Joseph worked his way up to serving in the household of Potiphar, a high-ranking official. But things got complicated when Potiphar’s wife, who became attracted to Joseph, made advances toward him. He refused these advances, and she reacted by having him falsely accused of harming her. And even though Potiphar believed Joseph, he still sent him to prison.

He appeared to have lost everything that he had just recently gained. He went from a highly respected servant to a lowly prisoner. But God stepped in yet again. He brought about an opportunity to help the Pharaoh, and he eventually was offered a position as his highest advisor.

Seeing how the Lord led Joseph’s life, we can confidently say that, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man… the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand” (Genesis 39:2-3, NKJV).

God will surely reward faithfulness with success in His plans.

If God has a task for us, we can have faith that we will be successful in whatever that task is.

David’s victory over Goliath

When the army of Israel stood terrified, afraid to face Goliath the Philistine, God empowered David to bring down the giant.

Confident in the power of God, David declared:

“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand…that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:45-47, NKJV).

David defeated Goliath with a slingshot and earned victory for the Israelites. He succeeded not by his own strength, but by trusting in God’s power and providence.

Trust in God’s power will bring the same results today, when we’re faced with opposition that might seem impossible to deal with. God can help us overcome even the most difficult situations.

Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall

In Nehemiah chapter 2, after the Babylonian captivity, Nehemiah was given permission to start rebuilding Jerusalem. But he was soon faced with an expected disruption.

As he journeyed toward Jerusalem’s grounds, he had to pass through the territories of other nations. Even though he was granted official permission to go through there by his king, two officials, Sanballat and Tobiah, didn’t like that someone was traveling through there “to pursue the prosperity of the Israelites” (Nehemiah 2:10, CSB). They “mocked and despised” him, and accused him of rebelling against the king, even though that was not his intention (Nehemiah 2:19, CSB).

But Nehemiah didn’t despair. He kept trusting the power of God.

“So I answered them, and said to them, ‘The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem'” (Nehemiah 2:20, NKJV).

When they began work on Jerusalem’s walls, Sanballat and his team kept on harassing them and making fun of them (Nehemiah 4:1-3). But Nehemiah responded with a prayer:

“Listen, our God, for we are despised. Make their insults return on their own heads and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity” (Nehemiah 4:4, CSB).

Sanballat and the other officials with him even planned to attack the Israelites working on the wall, so Nehemiah responded by appointing watchmen day and night. He said to the Israelites with him:

“Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes” (Nehemiah 4:14, CSB).

So half of the team did the work as the rest stayed armed to protect from potential attack until they finished the work.

With God’s help, Nehemiah was able to mobilize and lead a dedicated team that successfully rebuilt the wall, despite significant opposition.

Peter’s miraculous catch of fish

After an entire night of unsuccessful fishing and pulling up empty nets, Peter was probably feeling discouraged. Yet, he didn’t hesitate to let down his nets one more time at the instructions of the Lord Jesus Christ—which led to a huge catch.

“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking” (Luke 5:4-6, NKJV).

By trusting God, Peter encountered success where his own materials and experience had failed him.

Just like He led Joseph, David, Nehemiah, and Peter to success, God can and is willing to lead each and everyone of us to success.

Here are some more verses that help us learn to trust God.

Bible promises on success

There are times when even the most devout Christians can be tempted to measure success in terms of self-serving or worldly accomplishments or amassing wealth. But while success can sometimes include fame, wealth, prestige, or influence, let us remember that success means accomplishing what is set out to be done. A goal achieved, a need met, a challenge defeaeted, etc.

Sound biblical principles show us that true success in all spheres of life is part of God’s will for us. There are lots of Bible verses rich with principles that guide how we should view and approach success. And the ultimate success is living eternally in the presence of God.

Here are some powerful Scriptures that teach us about success.
(All passages taken from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.)

Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Explanation: If we are faced with a task that seems too difficult to handle, we can remember that there is nothing we cannot do with Jesus’s help.

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Explanation: God’s presence casts away all fears we may face in our pursuit of success.

1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Explanation: When our efforts are for God, we can be assured that our work is valuable and important, and even if humans don’t recognize it, God sees.

Ecclesiastes 5:19
“Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God” (CSB).
Explanation: When we reap success or payoffs for hard work, we are encouraged to enjoy them while also acknowledging that our success was a gift from God. That way we can freely enjoy our accomplishments while staying humble and grateful and avoiding pride.

Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
Explanation: Solomon counsels that we should not procrastinate on pursuing success. If we must commit diligent and excellent effort towards success, we better do it now, because life is short, and no human being has a guarantee on how much time they have.

Joshua 1:8
“This Book of the 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.”
Explanation: Aligning one’s life with and obeying the word of God leads to success.

Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Explanation: When you take care of God’s business, He helps you take care of your business.

Matthew 16:26
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Explanation: True success goes beyond pursuing material wealth, which means nothing if we sacrifice our integrity, love, and faith in order to get it. Our soul, or our salvation and relationship with God, is the most important thing.

Matthew 25:21
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’”
Explanation: Faithfulness in little things generally qualifies us for bigger responsibilities.

James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Explanation: God is happy to guide us and give us wisdom that will lead us to success—we just need to ask.

Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Explanation: We can never go wrong in our pursuit of success as long as we trust God’s way and means. God wants the best for us and has good plans for us, even if His plans look different than what we expect or what we originally intended. He sees the bigger picture, so He is worthy of our trust in these matters.

Psalm 1:1-3
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water…and whatever he does shall prosper.”
Explanation: Meaningful success comes from God, not from the self-serving knowledge the world embraces.

Psalm 37:4-5
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”
Explanation: All desires and goals that align with the will of God will succeed. If we trust and follow God’s guidance He will lead us in the safe pathway to success.

Colossians 3:23-24
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance.”
Explanation: Doing our work diligently to the glory of God will result in eternal rewards.

Deuteronomy 8:18
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant.”
Explanation: We should never forget to acknowledge and appreciate how God leads us. God is the source of all our blessings.

Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
Explanation: Perseverance pays off, and God sees when we are working hard. He will not abandon us and He will see that our needs are met.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters…and will not be anxious in the year of drought.”
Explanation: Trusting in God’s power means we will never be without support, and we can accomplish far more through His plans for us than we ever can alone. So even when situations look grim, we are connected to a never-ending power source.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Explanation: God desires our good and will guide us to a life with purpose and success when we use our strengths and abilities for Him.

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
Explanation: God is able to help us in ways we cannot even imagine.

You too can succeed

The biblical concept of success involves growth and improvement of everything in our trust. God wants us to be able to put our strengths and skills to good work. And we also need to remember that He is the one who gave us our strengths.

So it doesn’t matter who you are, what you do, or what you have done in the past. God can give you success in countless different ways, and He knows you better than you know yourself. So He can give you exactly what you need to accomplish great things for Him.

To the Hebrews, success was promised as long as they followed and trusted God. But whenever they were tempted to put their faith in other things, they lost their battles and even became captors in exile. Only the presence of God assures true, stable success. But when we forget him, we’ll experience failure sooner or later.

As we have seen God guiding the pursuits of His servants in the past, we can learn to trust His promises found throughout Scripture. If we believe His promises, trust His leading, and do our honest part, we can trust that He will help us—and He really wants to help us.

Videos on Bible promises for success

  • Title: Bible Success Secrets From Genesis 1

Summary: Myron talks about biblical success secrets and he starts by a guiding definition of success as discovering the purpose for which God created you for and developing ourselves for that purpose.

  • Title: God Can’t Be PLEASED – Bible Success Secrets

Summary: Myron Golden emphasizes aligning with God’s purpose for true success, focusing on faith as higher power. It challenges us to live beyond material success and fulfill our divine calling.

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