Down through the centuries, thinkers and philosophers have pondered and sought in vain to learn whether life has a real purpose and if so what it is. Socrates, Plato and Augustine, among others, speculated and reasoned; yet the true meaning of life eluded them. This deepest and most important question in life remained a mystery to them!

If one could discover the overall purpose for which humans were put on earth, it would unlock the keys to a rich full human potential greater than mere temporary existence. Life would have a transcendent purpose. Having the right direction and purpose can ignite a dynamic ambition to succeed.

What is success?

According to Webster’s New American Dictionary, the definition of success is: 1. A favorable or desired outcome. 2. The gaining of wealth and fame. 3. One that succeeds. Your opinion on the definition may differ and it may include having a happy family or good friends. But most people in the Western world define success in physical ways like Webster’s second definition.

“The one who dies with the most toys wins” seems to be the concept most people relate to. But just having fortune, wealth and material things is not enough. The reality is that everyone dies (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20). And most die without understanding life’s purpose. As Benjamin Franklin quipped, “If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world?”

Others say true success is achieving fame, notoriety and influence. Yet notoriety is fleeting, here today and gone tomorrow. Generally, the more people get of fame or fortune, the more they crave. Yet, ironically, when they get it, it often makes them all the more discontent, because it does not satisfy the deep inner hungers that burn within the human heart.

As well, achieving a bit of fame or fortune can bring on more discontent, because someone else still has more. Strong competitive drives or jealousy may be ignited producing feelings of emptiness that leaves them craving still more success. When success is defined only in these physical terms, it is very short-lived and may produce other problems. As someone once commented, “Success in life generally expands the waistband or the hatband.”

Just having fortune, wealth and material things is not enough.

Most people sacrifice their entire lives on these pursuits and never find lasting happiness or true success. George Horace Lorimer summarized it well when he said, “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check once in awhile and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.”

Most successful people in this world have full bank accounts, but empty lives. Their striving to acquire money never satisfied the deep cravings of the human soul. Their dreams, goals and purpose for living are only a vain quest for more material possessions or fame in a mad search to avoid pain and gain pleasure. These victories and accomplishments only give them momentary thrills and temporary satisfaction that does not last (Isaiah 55:1-3, John 6:35)!

Searching in all the wrong places

Successful people may have purpose and work tirelessly toward their goals. But the result is just a temporary fleeting success because they never stop to discover life’s true purpose. As Arthur Schopenhauer indicated, “Every man takes the limits of his own field of vision for the limits of the world.” And most never stop to catch the vision God has in mind. As Joseph Roux put it, “God often visits us, but most of the time we are not at home.”

Voltaire summarized life this way: “Life is like a game of cards. Each player must accept the cards that life deals to him or her. With cards in hand, each person must decide how the hand will be played in order to win the game.” Understanding life’s purpose gives you a broader perspective on how you should play your cards. It can see you through the ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs in life.

For many people, life is a big experiment in discovering right and wrong, what works and what doesn’t, what produces happiness and what leads to pain and sorrow. One of the most wealthy and famous people who ever lived was King Solomon of Israel. He had the resources and opportunity to conduct a real life experiment. As one of the wisest men who ever lived, he also had the analytical skills to objectively analyze the results.

The conclusion he drew may surprise you. After his great self-indulgent, extravagant and lavish first-hand life experiment, his summary was simple, sincere and sure. “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11, New International Version). Life without the right purpose is simply a vain striving “after the wind.”

Many seek satisfaction in the thousand-and-one events, just as Solomon did. In a whimsical whirl of pursuit of wishes, wants, pleasures and pastimes, they seek to relieve the gnawing inner hunger. But the hunger always returns because the aching deep inside is spiritual. And material things cannot satisfy spiritual hunger! God made us to need His Spirit in order for our mind to be complete (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Nothing else can fill that void!

Purpose of human existence

In order for life to be truly successful, you have to start with the right end in mind. The right purpose gives you the right direction for your accomplishments. It is not the wind of circumstances that blows though life that creates your ultimate destiny. It is the set of your sail. Even if the winds are not favorable, you can stay your course. And when the right tailwinds of opportunity come, you will be ready for a fast track directly toward lasting success.

The right purpose gives you the right direction for your accomplishments.

God wants to create in us His very nature and essence through a spiritual rebirth and growth process (Ephesians 4:17-24; John 3:3, 7). We were created physically after God’s form and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). Ultimately He wants us created in His likeness spiritually by developing holy righteous character (Ephesians 4:17-24). This is the ultimate purpose or goal of life and it has eternal ramifications.

Yet even God cannot and will not create this character by fiat. He knew with the creation of man that two ingredients would be necessary for character creation to occur—time and circumstance. So God created time and God created circumstances on the physical plane to give us the opportunity to develop His attitude, nature and character—vital keys to true lasting success (Romans 2:7-11; Hebrews 2:14-18; Ephesians 3:16-21).

Just growing older does not mean we grow wiser. We need to use life’s daily experiences to develop godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding. This is the ultimate purpose for human existence. After a lifetime of experimenting, Solomon saw that purpose clearly. “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NIV).