You can invest your talent in success, or in something that lasts
Today’s world is busy running after success and achievement. Science and technology are two of the things that develop a nation, and we are the ones who put them to use. When we talk about development and success we are also talking about personal development — where we invest our time, our hard work and our talents.
People work hard for their study, their career, their job, and mainly for their own growth, which adds something to the world as well. Parents are glad when their children work day and night to score well. A company wants to hire someone skilled and hard-working. A cricket selection board looks for a good all-rounder. There is nothing wrong with any of it.
Success with science and technology empowers professionals, business and the world, easily and effectively. By investing talent and skill you can become a successful businessman, a leader, a celebrity, a great technologist, a famous singer, a rich man.
For this world alone
But brothers and sisters — what we do here seems great, and it is for this world alone, not for God’s kingdom or His glory. The Bible says everyone has blessings, as gift and as talent.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.
Romans 12:6–8
It is amazing that everyone has a blessing from above. Some have found their gifts and some have not. As we read and understand the Bible it becomes necessary to discover and then reveal what is hidden. Those hidden blessings were already granted by God as talent, and they were granted for the purpose of His kingdom.
So the main concern of this life should not be the world’s development but the serving of His kingdom. Everything else under the sun is short-term. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)
What lasts
Our world is full of unsolved mysteries. Science and technology can go a long way, until they collide with things that cannot be measured. Both the despair of our struggles and the ecstasy of our successes are temporary. So let us keep our eyes on what lasts forever.
God wants us to be successful people in this world for the sake of a kingdom that is eternal. Everyone is blessed with a gift. Our job is to serve with it — as a musician, singer, technician, preacher, prayer warrior, or as a businessman solving the financial needs of ministry work. When we allow ourselves to do that, God is faithful to bless us further and let those talents shine.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)
Pankaj Kumar Nayak
Wrote for 5Talents through its first year, on vocation, success and what talent is finally for.
Vocation · Success · Stewardship · Talents