Why God’s Definition of “Greatness” Differs From Everyone Else’s

Everyone desires to be great; and we were all meant to be great.

Most people say:

“I can’t be great because I didn’t accomplish this!”

or

“I can’t be great because I didn’t do that!”

or

“I can’t be great be great because I messed up there!”

or

“I can’t be great because I did that!”

But greatness was and will never be restricted to past mistakes but present responsibilities.

We all have different definitions of it; but, in spite of our definitions, there’s one thing that characterizes true greatness: service. To serve is to be great!

Paul when he talks about greatness and service says,

“Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” [1]

It is that helping “others get ahead” mentality that births true greatness. True greatness is not becoming great at the expense of others but rather at the expense of self; finding ways to serve the needs of people and make them better.

We were all meant to be great because we were all meant to serve.

Quantitative Greatness vs. Qualitative Greatness

Greatness is broken down into two categories: qualitative and quantitative.

The differences are as follows:

1. Quantitatively Great—the external appearance of greatness. In the eyes of many this would be money, prestige, power, and the like.
2. Qualitatively Great—the internal attributes of greatness. These would be the character traits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. [2]

It’s possible for someone to have both, just one, or neither.

In my opinion, its commendable if one aspires to possess both; however, if you had to choose between the two—be a person of quality. A person with more quality than quantity can still enrich the lives of many. A person with more quantity than quality is like a bounced check—they give the appearance of wealth but inside they’re broke!

In fact, God is more concerned about your inner person than He is your outer person:

“What matters is not your outer appearance—the styling of your hair, the jewelry you wear, the cut of your clothes—but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.” [3]

But what do you think? What does true greatness mean to you?

1. Philippians 2: 3-4 (The Message)
2. Galatians 5: 22-23
3. 1 Peter 3: 3-4 (The Message)

P.S.: By the way, check out the interview I had on Christian Messenger. Would love to hear your thoughts!