The Secret to Success: Living a Life of Selflessness

Introduction: The Backwards Formula for Success

If you ask the world how to be successful, you’ll get a list of strategies: work harder, chase your dreams, network with the right people, and make sure you put yourself first. But Jesus flips the script. He says the real secret to success isn’t about taking—it’s about giving. The more you serve, the more you’re blessed. The more you humble yourself, the higher God lifts you up.

In Matthew 23:11-12, Jesus tells us,

"The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 

Want true success? Start by living for others, not just yourself.

Why Serving Others is the Key to Blessing

There’s one request God never turns down—asking for opportunities to serve others. Why? Because it aligns with His heart.

Think about it—Jesus Himself, the King of Kings, came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). If that’s how He lived, why would we expect success to come any other way? When we make life about blessing others, God takes care of the rest. He supplies our needs, opens doors we never could, and gives us the desires of our hearts in ways we never expected (Psalm 37:4).

Selflessness is Not Losing—It’s Gaining

The world says, "Look out for yourself first." But Jesus says, "Give, and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38). It’s a principle that seems upside down, but it’s actually the key to a fulfilling life.

• When you pour out love, you receive love in return.

• When you meet others’ needs, God makes sure yours are covered.

• When you focus on lifting others up, God lifts you up in ways you never imagined.

  
  

Feelings vs. Truth

Feelings are real, and they are justified, but they are subjective. What we feel today may not be what we feel tomorrow. Truth, on the other hand, is unchanging. Truth doesn’t depend on emotions; it stands firm regardless of how we feel.

God’s existence is a perfect example of this. Some people feel like He isn’t real, yet Romans 1:20 tells us that everyone knows deep down that He exists because His creation speaks of Him. Just because someone feels distant from God doesn’t mean He isn’t there. Truth, by definition, does not need to be proven—it simply is.

God’s Complexity and Jesus’ Simplicity

God is vast, beyond human comprehension, yet in His infinite wisdom, He made Himself known through Jesus. Jesus is God in human form—walking, talking, and relatable. If God had revealed Himself in all His infinite glory, we wouldn’t be able to grasp Him. So instead, He gave us Jesus, who showed us love, compassion, and truth in a way we could understand.

Jesus makes God approachable. Through Him, we see the heart of the Father and understand how to live in a way that pleases Him. When we follow Christ, we’re not just following a good teacher; we’re following God Himself, made simple and visible for our sake.

Society Prioritizes Self, But God Prioritizes Selflessness

The world constantly preaches self-empowerment, self-love, and self-promotion. Society tells us to “do what makes you happy,” “put yourself first,” and “live your truth.” But God’s truth is different—He calls us to love others first, to deny ourselves, and to find true joy in serving Him and those around us.

Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-25,

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." 

True fulfillment is found not in chasing after selfish ambitions but in surrendering to God’s will and seeking ways to bless others.

Faith: Believing Without Seeing

Society says, “Seeing is believing.” But faith says the opposite—believing is seeing. If seeing were the only way to believe, how would you explain anything to a blind man? Does the wind not exist just because you can’t see it?

Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as

"confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

Faith means trusting in God even when we can’t see the outcome. It’s about believing in His promises, His plan, and His presence even when things seem uncertain. Jesus told Thomas in John 20:29,

"Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 

True faith isn’t based on proof—it’s based on trust.

God calls us to live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we trust Him, even when things seem unclear, we open the door to His greatest blessings.

How God Rewards a Selfless Heart

God doesn’t ignore a servant’s heart. He honors it. Joseph served faithfully in prison, and God made him second-in-command of Egypt. Ruth selflessly stuck by Naomi, and God blessed her with a new life and family. Jesus gave up His life for us, and God exalted Him above all.

Serving isn’t losing—it’s the very path to winning in God’s Kingdom. He sees what you do in secret and rewards you openly (Matthew 6:4).

How to Live a Life of Selfless Success

1. Start with Small Acts of Kindness – Success in God’s Kingdom isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about everyday love. Hold the door for someone. Encourage a co-worker. Show kindness to a stranger.

2. Look for Opportunities to Serve – Ask, "How can I help?" instead of "What’s in it for me?"

3. Trust God to Take Care of You – When you focus on others, God takes care of your needs better than you ever could (Philippians 4:19).

4. Give Without Expecting in Return – True service is about loving others, not looking for payback.

   
   

Conclusion: The Path to True Success

If you want success that lasts—not just money, fame, or temporary happiness, but real, soul-deep fulfillment—follow God’s formula. Be selfless. Serve others. Put others first, and watch how God takes care of everything else.

Success isn’t found in climbing the ladder but in kneeling to help others up. When you live like that, you’ll find the abundant, joy-filled, purpose-driven life that God has planned for you.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for showing us that true success isn’t about what we can get but what we can give. Help us to have servant hearts, to love selflessly, and to trust that You will provide for us as we serve others. Let us remember that our feelings may change, but Your truth remains the same. Thank You for revealing Yourself through Jesus, so we may know and understand You better. Use our lives for Your glory, and let us find joy in putting others first. In Jesus’ name, Amen.