Wednesday 13 November 2013

Talent is Not Enough

Talent is only a Starting Point

Your talent opens the door of success, and as the Bible says: through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches (Proverbs 24: 3-4).

God’s wisdom to endow you with certain unique abilities gives you a head start on others regarding your specific talent. By your understanding of the importance of the talent God has given you, you will work to establish it in your life. This talent that God has endowed you with is very important in His purpose and plan for you. Therefore, when you seek in righteousness from God’s knowledge, the wisdom to develop your talent, God’s blessings will bring great visible and invisible benefits to you. 

When you successfully establish your talent, it puts you in the limelight and you are seen as having a successful career. It makes you stand out, noticed and counted by individuals, groups of people and organizations that matter, when it comes to your career. According to the Bible, a man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men (Proverbs 18:16). A well established talent in a successful career will indeed bring you before great men; heads of state, celebrities, prominent people in society etc. But be advised that talent is like flowers; if you don’t nurture and protect it, it will die or dry up and be of no use to you. 

You are reminded to learn from Paul’s advice to Timothy: I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you; do not neglect the gift that is in you (2 Timothy 1: 6; 4: 14). Your talent is an asset God has bestowed unto you; it is a precious present from God, meant to prosper you: For a present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; wherever he turns he prospers (Proverbs 17: 8). Proverbs 17: 8 is challenging you to prosper with your ‘precious stone of talent.’
  
The challenge is to learn to walk in the light of God because God’s blessings are for those who walk upright in His light. Therefore, you are challenged to first seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Note that, an inheritance gained hastily at the beginning will not be blessed at the end (Proverbs 20: 21). Don’t be in haste for material progress that completely neglects your spiritual progress. Don’t focus on what to eat, what to drink, or what to wear; but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6: 33). Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness will make you discover the great potential for excellence that lies within you.