Article January 8, 2007 Issue

DANIEL AND THE PATH OF SUCCESS

BY KATHRYN DUNTON

One of my favorite figures in the Hebrew Scriptures is Daniel, because his life illustrates success based on the development of spiritual qualities. He demonstrates the integrity and moral courage required to live and thrive in a materialistic society.

Daniel loved God above all else, and strove to obey Him in everything he did. Daniel wasn't satisfied with the mere appearance of good. He earnestly strove to be good. Because of his desire to be good through and through, and to express excellence in everything he did, he was highly favored by King Nebuchadnezzar. He recognized the outstanding contribution Daniel was making, and praised him for it. But Daniel wasn't fooled into thinking he was working for the king; he knew he was working to please God.

As often happens in politics, several princes conspired to displace Daniel because his excellence was making them look bad (see Dan. 6:1–23). Daniel didn't play the "Who will be greatest?" game, as the princes did—he wasn't motivated by a competitive drive to outshine them or to compare his progress against theirs. Instead, he constantly consulted God and diligently sought to express integrity, intelligence, and excellence in everything he did. His only desire was for godliness, so he was not distracted, like the princes, by the pursuit of material status and place.