Depending on whom you talk to and their worldview, you are likely going to get as many definitions of success as possible. Corporate organisations will likely define success in terms of patronage and annual turnover. Individuals who work in such corporations will likely see success in terms of their pay packs and perks of office. Basically, success will be funds, fame, and friends. While there may be nothing expressly wrong with this, it does not cut into the heart of what we might call Biblical success. 

Until you meet the expectation of God for your life or organisation, you are not truly successful.

The parable in Isaiah 5 can help to throw light on the subject. God picked up a parable to describe Israel. Israel was described as a beautiful vine set on a fruitful hill by its owner. God who is the husbandman removed the stones from it and hedged it around. He built a winepress in readiness for the yield. Then the unthinkable happened. At harvest, the vineyard produced bitter or sour grapes which enraged the owner. Let us observe that the vineyard did produce something – it produced sour grapes. Note that bitter or sour grape is not without their uses. However, because that was not what the vinedresser expected, He was displeased. The vineyard failed because it did not meet the expectation of its owner. What then is success? Simply put, success is meeting the expectation of God! Success is not having things; it is not becoming something or looking like another person. Until you meet the expectation of God for your life or organisation, you are not truly successful. The beginning of the journey to success, therefore, is this question: “Lord, what do You expect from me?”