Chuck Swindoll Daily Devotional 9th June 2025, Insight For Today
TOPIC: The Downside of Achievement
SCRIPTURE READING – Philippians 3:4
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Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! (Philippians 3:4)
The problem is that human achievement results in earthly rewards, which fuels the fire for more achievement leading to greater rewards. “Problem . . . what problem?” you may ask. This: None of that results in deep-down satisfaction, an inner peace, a soul-level contentment, or lasting joy. In the process of achieving more and earning more, few if any learn to laugh more. This is especially true if you are the classic Type A. Hear me out.
Something within all of us warms up to human strokes. We are motivated to do more when our efforts are noticed and rewarded. That is why they make things like impressive trophies and silver platters and bronze plaques and gold medals. Most folks love putting those things on display. We like the recognition. What does it do? It drives us on to do more, to gain greater recognition, to achieve more valuable rewards, better pay, or higher promotions.
Virtually every major field of endeavor has its particular award for outstanding achievement. Universities award scholarships; companies give bonuses; the film industry offers the Oscar, the television industry, the Emmy; the music industry, the Grammy; and the writing industry, the Pulitzer Prize. The athletic world has an entire spectrum of honors. Whether garnering individual awards for exceptional achievement or team trophies for championship play, winning players are applauded, and record-setting coaches are affirmed (and envied). Furthermore, most folks are awed simply by being around celebrities.
There is nothing wrong with awards as long as we remember it is an earthly system exalting earthly people who are rewarded for earthly accomplishments. But how easy it is to forget that not one of those accomplishments gives a person what he or she may lack deep within—that’s why they can’t bring lasting satisfaction. And much more importantly, none of them earns God’s favor.
Taken from Laugh Again by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 1992 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
