THE SELF-MADE MAN

The term “self-made man” is gradually gaining ground in our everyday lives and endeavors. It has almost become a norm in our society. The moment a man ascends the ladder of success, he assumes he is self-made. This concept is prevalent everywhere—on television, in newspapers, and at conferences. The funny thing is that most men have accepted it as so, thereby boosting their ego and pride. But is a man really self-made? Does he achieve success all by himself? I believe this is worth pondering because the earlier we understand the true meaning of the term “self-made man,” the better it will be for us in viewing it from the right perspective. The Scripture says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NIV).

THE NATURE OF MAN

Here we shall consider the nature of man, highlighting three key aspects: man as a being of relationship, man’s inability to exist alone, and the necessity of others for success.

Man as a Being of Relationship: By nature, man is relational. He needs to share his intentions, dreams, and visions with others; he cannot keep them to himself. Regardless of his qualities and attributes—strength, bravery, courage, motivation, and goal-setting—he needs to relate his dreams and visions to others to fulfill them. I don’t think there is a man who has achieved his dreams solely by keeping them to himself.

Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “I have a dream.” But he didn’t stop there; he shared it with others who eventually shared his vision, leading to the emancipation of Black Americans from racial prejudice. The same applies to Bill Gates and his dream of Microsoft. The list is endless, proving that man is inherently a relational being.

Man Cannot Exist Alone: The Scripture says, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18, NIV). John Maxwell echoes this sentiment, stating, “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.” The belief in being a self-made man paints a picture of a lonely individual trying to achieve everything independently. The bottom line is that no man is an island; man cannot exist alone.
Man Needs Others to Succeed: The more people a man has around him, the greater his chances of success. The more connections you have, the greater your chance of fulfilling your dreams. We all believe in the saying, “Be your brother’s keeper.” I need you, and you need me. People serve as resources within an organization and can also be sources of support in achieving our dreams. “Two heads are better than one,” as the saying goes. Indeed, man needs others to succeed.

WHY THE “SELF-MADE MAN” CONCEPT IS UNACCEPTABLE

Now, let us consider why the term “self-made man” is not acceptable. The reasons are: it is rooted in selfishness, it fails to recognize the contributions of others, and it is an insult to God.

Rooted in Selfishness: The term “self-made man” appeals to man’s nature, which is inclined towards selfishness and pride. We must bear in mind that nothing obtained through selfishness and pride can endure. The Scripture says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18, NIV). It also states, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5, NIV). Selfishness, like a termite, eats away at one’s integrity, often leading to greed. A man who prides himself on being self-made is unlikely to find satisfaction and is at risk of ruin.
Failure to Recognize the Contribution of Others: A self-made man takes all the credit for his success, believing it was solely his efforts that led to his achievements. He does not acknowledge the contributions of others who played a role in his journey. The truth is that, whether we like it or not, others contribute to our success. Our success stories are incomplete without the help of others.
An Insult to God: The Scripture teaches, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:4, NIV). In other words, man is created for mutual benefit with his fellow man. To assume he is self-made implies that he can exist and achieve success without the help of others, which distorts the natural order and is an insult to God, his Maker.

In conclusion, man is not “self-made.” There are always others who are connected to his success through relationships. The idea of a self-made man likens him to God, but no man or being can be compared to God. Man cannot create himself, nor can he achieve greatness on his own. So, if you are someone who believes you are the architect of your own success, take a moment to reflect. You will likely recognize those who have positively influenced your life, whether through advice, encouragement, resources, or as role models. Acknowledge this truth: man is not self-made. Embrace this belief, and it will help you appreciate those whom God brings into your life to assist you in achieving greater levels of success. Every man fears regression in life, which occurs when a person believes he is better than others and can do without help. The Scripture warns, “Woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:10, NIV). Man is not self-made; he needs God and his fellow man to attain greatness in life.

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