Mistakes of “Successful” Men
We have put “successful” in quotation marks, because these men were successful only from the world’s point of view. The rich young ruler was rich, religious, and young (Mt.19:16-22).
However, he loved material wealth more than the Lord. I Tim.6:9-10. The rich man in the story with Lazarus would have been the envy of many as well as pride of the community (Lk.12:16-21). He had great things, but he missed heaven because he neglected his own soul (Heb.2:3). Judas Iscariot had the honor of being one of the twelve apostles.
Furthermore, he was chosen to be the treasurer (Jn.12:6). He made the mistake of allowing Satan to enter into his heart (Lk.22:3). Satan is too dangerous to entertain in our lives. Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea. He made the mistake of yielding to public favor against his convictions. Worldly success does not amount to anything in the afterlife.
The wise man, Solomon wrote about true success. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. (Ecc.12:13).