Text: Matthew 25:26-28
Memory verse:
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” II Timothy 1:6
Baseball coach, Tim Notke said, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. Talent without hard work is like a well-scented candle without flame or an equipment without oil to drive it. It is also like raw material that is not processed and axe head that is not sharpened. “The lazy person buries his hand in the dish [losing opportunity after opportunity]; It wearies him to bring it back to his mouth.” (Prov 26:15 AMP). His problem is not the lack of opportunities but unreadiness to make any effort to grasp them.
Talent is your natural ability or capacity to do a thing. Our text today shows that the talent left dormant and not worked depreciates while that which is worked appreciates in value.
Hard work helps you to sharpen your talent and natural abilities so you can shine brighter. A wise man sharpens his axe head but the foolish, in his lazy attitude, says he has no time, so he accomplishes less (Ecc 10:10).
Regardless of your talent, hard work is necessary for you to be successful and to continue to succeed. I used to know a woman, whose skill in tailoring was attested to by many as amazing. No matter how complex your chosen style is, she looks at it once to build a perfect fit for you. Yet, this talent couldn’t be maximized because of her lazy attitude.
Your natural abilities will get you initial recognition and allow opportunities to come your way but it is hard work that will help you to grasp those opportunities.
Talent won’t get you anywhere if you don’t work for it. Hard work will always beat talent when talent thinks he is too good to work hard. A person of low talent who is working hard will eventually beat the highly talented who is lazy. Thus, having a talent is great and it’s a blessing but it can be a curse, because it can make you think that you don’t need to work as hard as others.
Prayer points
1. Father, I receive Your grace to work my talent and to maximize opportunities in Jesus name.
2. Father, please, help me not to be guilty of wasting my God-given abilities in Jesus name.
Today’s declarations
1. My talent is a blessing and not a curse because I constantly put it to hard work.
2. Irrespective of my talent, with hard work I will beat one with high talent and lazy attitude.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng