For this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherlykindness, and to brotherly kindness love. . . Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble. 2 Peter 1:5-7,10
When William was only sixteen years old, he tied all his possessions into a small bundle and left home to seek his fortune. He told an old canal-boat captain that his father was too poor to keep him and the only trade he knew was soap and candle making.
The old captain knelt and earnestly prayed for the boy and then advised him, "Soon, someone will be the leading soap-maker in New York. It can be you as well as someone else. Be a good man, give your heart to Christ, pay the Lord all that belongs to Him, make an honest soap, give a full pound, and I'm certain you'll be a prosperous and rich man."
When he arrived in the city, William remembered the captain's words, and although poor and lonely, he joined a church and gave one-tenth of his first dollar, just as the captain had exhorted him. Once he gained regular employment, he soon became a partner in the business, then later, the sole owner. He made an honest soap, and as he became more successful, he increased his giving from 10 percent to 50 percent--eventually to 100 percent of his income. In all, William Colgate gave millions.
The marks of success are not only know-how and diligence, but also humility and generosity.
Six essential qualities that are the key to success;
Sincerity
Personal integrity
Humility
Courtesy
Wisdom
Charity.
Personal note: The only place where you can find "success" before "work" is in the dictionary.
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