Success vs Excellence

Success vs Excellence Paper

Eugene Watson

Christian Excellence CM3000

Instructor Professor Cornwell

February 2, 2014

Success vs Excellence Paper

Merriam-Webster/online retrieved February 2, 2014. Def. (1) success: the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame

Merriam-Webster/online retrieved February 2, 2014. Def. (1) excellence: an excellent or valuable quality; virtue.

Johnston distinguishes excellence and success, by showing that the concepts of success and excellence are closely related, but they have significant differences. Excellence is superior to success. Excellence is developing the lifestyle that results in a Godly life. Holiness is excellence. Success is of the world one of power and prestige, success is worldly. To succeed is to attain a desired object or desired result. It doesn’t necessarily mean doing one’s best. It may not even mean doing things right. To some people success means winning at all costs. It can spawn an unhealthy competitive spirit that’s ultimately destructive. It’s possible to succeed without achieving excellence.

As far as for me, how distinguishing these concepts apply to my life. Well worldly success is not something that I being a Christian should or will aspire to achieve. I desire to pursue a commitment to personal excellence, rather than success, based on my own God given potential. Excellence is available to all, but is accepted only by a few, and I am one of the few. Excellence cultivates principles, character, and integrity.

Excellence will always cost you everything, but it is the most lasting and rewarding ideal. Daniel 6:3 (HCSB)

3  Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. We need to follow Daniel’s example, be honest, work hard, so a good job. But if promotion comes, don’t expect others to be happy for you. Some will be jealous, even to the extent of...