[Read] Winning, Losing, and the Wisdom of the Bible

Winning, Losing, and the Wisdom of the Bible

In our culture, winning is celebrated and losing is avoided. From sports and business to politics and social media, success is often measured by who comes out on top. But the Bible offers a far deeper—and frankly more challenging—perspective on winning and losing, one that reshapes how we define success, character, and faithfulness.

The World’s Definition of Winning

By worldly standards, winning means:

• Getting the promotion

• Closing the deal

• Beating the competition

• Being recognized, rewarded, and applauded

Losing, on the other hand, is often associated with failure, weakness, or wasted effort. Yet Scripture repeatedly turns this thinking upside down.

“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

The Bible asks a sobering question: What if you win outwardly but lose inwardly?

God’s Definition of Winning

In Scripture, winning is not about dominance—it’s about faithfulness.

• Faithfulness to God

• Obedience in hard circumstances

• Integrity when no one is watching

• Perseverance when the outcome is uncertain

The apostle Paul, writing from prison, declared:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7)

Paul didn’t measure his life by comfort or applause. He measured it by whether he stayed faithful to his calling.

When Losing Isn’t Losing

Some of the Bible’s greatest figures experienced what looked like loss:

• Joseph was betrayed and imprisoned

• David fled for his life before becoming king

• Job lost nearly everything

• Jesus was crucified

Yet none of these were ultimate defeats.

The cross itself looked like the greatest loss in history—until the resurrection revealed it as the greatest victory of all.

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.” (Job 13:15)

Sometimes what feels like losing is actually God refining, redirecting, or preparing us.

Winning Without Pride, Losing Without Despair

Scripture offers wisdom for both outcomes:

When you win:

• Stay humble

• Give God the credit

• Use success to serve others

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)

When you lose:

• Don’t lose heart

• Examine what God may be teaching you

• Trust that God is still at work

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” (Romans 8:28)

The Eternal Scorecard

The Bible reminds us that life is not a short game—it’s an eternal one.

Jesus taught that the true winners are not those who accumulate the most, but those who love the most, serve the most, and remain faithful to the end.

“Many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:30)

In God’s kingdom, the scoreboard looks very different.

Final Thought

Winning and losing are inevitable parts of life. But the Bible invites us to ask a better question than “Did I win?”

The better question is:
“Was I faithful?”

When we live by that standard, we discover that even in loss, God can bring victory—and in success, He can shape humility, gratitude, and purpose.

Rob Stutzman is an Elder at Grace Chapel.  Attending since 2003, Rob and his wife Beth reside in Lexington, and have two adult children, Andrew and Emily, living in the Boston area.  Rob has been a Christ follower since 1973 and works with others to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of the spiritual life God gives us each day.