The Ladder of Success

Solomon in Ecclesiastes tells us all about the "ladder of success." Those at the bottom feel oppressed and hopeless. They feel that it would have been better off if they had never been born. Those on the way up who view it as a rivalry fight against their neighbor instead of loving their neighbor as themselves. Those who do nothing starve to death. Those who are motivated only by the drive to succeed are never satisfied; they have no sense of accomplishment no matter what they do. Wind chasers, they end up going around in circles, arriving back where they started with no sense of joy. Those who make it to the top, even those who started out on the very bottom, find no comfort either. They just end up being the target of everyone's criticism and dissatisfaction. Everything you want is never enough. And the methods used to get there fall under the inescapable directive from God Himself: "You reap what you sow."
How then should I approach the ladder? To not get on it is foolish. To see it as a competition causes me to violate the second great commandment. (Which of course is a violation of the First Commandment.) To try to find self-fulfillment on it is impossible. To "make it" only brings conflict and disapproval. What's a Christian to do?
First, do whatever God has called you to do with a sense of His presence to guide you. Fear Him--reverence Him--in every decision you make. Do it for His approval alone. Loving your neighbor as yourself is required--commanded--in the business world as well. God's commandments cover every area of your life. Every. Second, remember that a "handful of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after the wind." Nothing is more essential to maintaining the strength and insight to do what you are called to do well--in a manner that glorifies Him--than times of rest. "Do not grow weary in well doing" requires times of not doing. When it's time to make a critical decision, get alone with Him. Find "rest for your soul." Third, don't do it by yourself or for yourself. Cherish those partners God has given you in the endeavors of life, those who will help you up when you fall, those whom you can help up when they fall, those who join hands with you in the face of danger, trials, and testing. Christianity is a group project--and the work God has given you is not secular, it's sacred. You can't make it on your own.

So:

You are called to do something with the gifts, talents, and passions God has given you. Don't despise your gifts.
You are not in a competition but a cooperation. Lean on the "pillars" God has given you. Be a "pillar" they can lean on. And remember "iron sharpens iron." God gave you your friends to at times be a "pain in your side." Sharp beats dull every time.
Grab hold of opportunities to rest. Grab hold of opportunities to rest. Grab hold of opportunities to rest. Rest is good.
Where you are on the "ladder" is irrelevant; how you conduct yourself there is sacred. It is God's work you do--whatever it is.
You will not find fulfillment there; that is found in Christ alone and the depth of your abiding fellowship with Him.

It's not actually a ladder: "Take up your cross daily and follow Me."