Achievement

Kinds of human achievement

Accumulation of wealth

Esther 1:4 HCSB

He displayed the glorious wealth of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness for a total of 180 days.

See also 1 Ki 10:23; 1 Ki 10:26–27; Job 42:12; Ec 2:4–9

Political power

Genesis 41:41–43 HCSB

Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “See, I am placing you over all the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, clothed him with fine linen garments, and placed a gold chain around his neck. He had Joseph ride in his second chariot, and servants called out before him, “Abrek!” So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.

See also 1 Ki 4:21; Es 1:1; Es 10:2–3; Da 2:37–38; Da 2:48

Buildings

1 Ki 7:1–12; Da 4:30; Mk 13:1

Great learning

1 Ki 4:32–34; Ec 1:13–16; Da 1:17

Military victory

Ge 14:14–16; Ex 17:8–13; Jos 8:24–26; Jdg 4:14–16; 1 Sa 18:7; 2 Sa 22:35–43

Acts of courage

1 Sa 14:6–14; 1 Sa 17:50; 2 Sa 23:8–21

Spiritual achievements

Romans 15:19 HCSB

by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the good news about the Messiah from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.

See also Lk 10:17; Jn 14:12; Ac 14:3; Ac 20:26–27; 2 Co 3:1–3; 1 Jn 2:13–14; Re 2:19

Limitations of human achievements

Human achievements can lead to pride

Isaiah 10:12–15 HCSB

But when the Lord finishes all His work against Mount Zion and Jerusalem, He will say, “I will punish the king of Assyria for his arrogant acts and the proud look in his eyes.” For he said: I have done this by my own strength and wisdom, for I am clever. I abolished the borders of nations and plundered their treasures; like a mighty warrior, I subjugated the inhabitants. My hand has reached out, as if into a nest, to seize the wealth of the nations. Like one gathering abandoned eggs, I gathered the whole earth. No wing fluttered; no beak opened or chirped. Does an ax exalt itself above the one who chops with it? Does a saw magnify itself above the one who saws with it? It would be like a staff waving the one who lifts it! It would be like a rod lifting a man who isn’t wood!

See also Dt 8:10–18; 2 Ch 26:16; Da 4:29–30

Human achievements can give false security

Luke 12:16–20 HCSB

Then He told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.” ’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’

See also 2 Ki 19:11–13; 2 Ki 19:21–28; Je 48:7; 1 Ti 6:17; Re 18:7–8

Human achievements are ultimately futile

Ecclesiastes 2:11 HCSB

When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.

See also Ps 39:6; Ec 2:17–23; Is 40:6; Hab 2:13

Human achievements do not lead to justification

Ac 13:39; Ro 5:1; 1 Co 6:11; Ga 2:15–16; Ga 2:21

God can thwart human achievements

Ge 11:1–9 God will overthrow all human achievement that is in opposition to him.

See also Job 5:12; Ps 33:10; Is 13:19; Re 18:10; Re 18:16–19

God’s achievements

God’s purposes are always accomplished

Isaiah 46:10 HCSB

I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.

See also Job 42:2; Is 14:24; Is 55:10–11; Je 23:20; Je 30:24

Creation as God’s achievement

Psalm 104:24 HCSB

How countless are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

See also Ge 1:1; Ge 1:31; Ps 104:2–23; Is 40:25–26

Salvation as God’s achievement

Hebrews 7:25 HCSB

Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

See also Jn 17:4; Jn 19:28; Jn 19:30; Ac 4:12; Php 1:6; Heb 10:14; Heb 12:2

Spiritual resources for human achievements

Achieving things with God’s help

Psalm 127:1 HCSB

Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain; unless the Lord watches over a city, the watchman stays alert in vain.

See also 2 Sa 22:30; 2 Ch 26:5; Zec 4:6–9; Jn 15:5; Ac 1:8; Ro 15:18–19; 1 Co 3:6; Php 2:13; Php 4:13

Achieving things by faith

Mark 9:23 HCSB

Then Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can’? Everything is possible to the one who believes.”

See also Mt 17:20; Mt 21:21; Lk 17:6

Achieving things through prayer

John 14:13–14 HCSB

Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

See also 1 Sa 1:27; Jas 5:16–18

Achievements out of trials and sorrows

2 Corinthians 4:17 HCSB

For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.

See also Ro 5:3–4; 2 Co 7:10; 2 Co 12:7–10; Jas 1:2–4

Achieving things with the help of fellow believers

Galatians 6:2 HCSB

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

See also Ac 2:42–45; Ac 4:32–37; Ac 5:12–16; Php 4:13–14; Php 4:18; Heb 10:24–25