My Gift, My Way

Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men” (AMP).

The word “gift” has 2 main meanings;

1. A thing given willingly to someone without payment; like a present. For example, a wedding gift, a birthday gift, donation to charity, etc.

2.   A natural ability or talent; aptitude or skill.

My focus will be on the second meaning of gift which is, “natural ability or talent”. God has given every one of us a gift or talent. It is something we were born with. It is this gift that will enable you to fulfill your purpose in life. It is this gift that will make a way for you in life. When you exercise this gift, you will discover that you are happy, fulfilled and content.

The Bible does not say that it is a man's education that makes room for him or his family background or his connections or his beauty but that it is his gift that will do so. It is a true success principle that many people do not understand. It is your God-given gift will make room for you! That is why God gave it to you – to help and support you and make you succeed in life.

Education is good. I will encourage all of you to get a good education. I also pray that God will provide your parents with the means to give you a good education but in all the education you are getting, use them to identify and develop your gift from God. For no matter how intelligent you are, if you do not exercise your gift, it is very possible for you to be poor. If you're educated but do not develop your talent, it is possible that you'll be unhappy; you’ll struggle and you’ll be frustrated.

The second part of that Proverbs 18:16 says, "A man's gift…brings him before great men”" (AMP). Your gift is loaded. People may notice you as a result of your family background, fame or how well groomed you are but when you exercise your gift, not only will the world respect you, but it will also pay you for your gift. When you discover your gift and develop it, you will become a commodity that people are looking for.

Today, a lot of you teenagers are still in school and some of you are already planning your career and future ambition. Let me give you a piece of advice - don't do what people say will make you a lot of money; instead do what you were born to do, because that is where you will make your money and you will be happy too!

Let me share 4 stories of some ordinary people whose gifts made them extraordinary;

1.           Alexander Graham Bell was a Scottish-born scientist and engineer who invented the telephone. He had a gift for creativity. He believed that sound could be converted into electrical impulses and transmitted by wire. As a result of this gift, we are enjoying his invention of the telephone. He exercised his gift and created a unique product like the telephone.

By the time he died at the age of 75 in 1922, Bell had received numerous honorary degrees from colleges and universities and dozens of major awards, medals and other tributes and even long after his death.

2.           On October 28, 1955, a baby boy was born. His parents named him William Henry Gates. We know him simply as Bill Gates. He was fascinated with electronic machines and computers. He wrote his first computer program as a teenager. Today, he is the co-founder of Microsoft, the largest PC software company in the world and one of the wealthiest men in the world. Bill Gates wines and dines with presidents of countries, heads of governments and very important people all over the world.

3.           Pastor EA Adeboye is a pastor and the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). He was a Mathematics lecturer at both the universities of Lagos and Ilorin. When he joined the RCCG in 1973, he began to translate the sermons of the then Pastor and founder, Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, from Yoruba into English. In 1981, Pastor Adeboye was appointed the General Overseer of the church after the death of the Founder. His gift to teach and his skill in the Yoruba language opened the door of his destiny through which he has positively, affected millions of lives.

4.           Chidinma Ekile was born on the 2^nd of May 1991 in Ketu, Lagos State. She started singing at the age of 6, and by age 10, she joined her church's choir. In 2010, she won the third season of MTN Project Fame West Africa. Her music is played all over the world and she has been winning awards both locally and abroad. She is also an MTN Brand Ambassador. Once an ordinary girl child, her gift of singing and music has opened unbelievable doors for Chidinma.

I have brought out these 4 examples of people whose talents brought them before the whole world. And there are many more. So, this morning I’m asking you, “What is that gift that God has given you”? “What are you doing with it”?

Daniel 1:17 ESV,“As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams”.

James 1:17 ESV,“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”.

Skills are learned but gifts are inborn. But skills help to bring out and to develop our natural gifts. We can use our gifts for our future career or business desires. 

I therefore, encourage you to do all you can, as teenagers, to get the knowledge and information you will need to find your own gift so that you can achieve God’s purpose in your life.

1 Peter 4:10 ESV, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace…”

Key takeaways:

·         Money is not everything. Do not be driven to make money with your gift. Use your gift to create and/or add value and money will come to you ( note 1 Tim. 6:9-10).

·      Acquire skills. A skill is the ability and expertise to do something well. There are different types of skills and it is important to acquire a good number of them. There are academic skills that are good for you in school (e.g, studying skills); technical skills which help you with your job/vocation; and life skills (e.g cooking, swimming) which help you to cope with life needs and situations.

·     Develop your gift. Your gift points you to what you love doing. When you have identified this, do all you can to develop it. Many years ago, I realized that I loved training. Training has to do with imparting information and knowledge that will enable people make better decisions and live better lives. I developed my gift (including public speaking) through acquiring information, reading voraciously, being technology savvy, and participating in training seminars and conferences.

·         Learn to use technology. Nearly everything we see and do today is supported by technology. They are getting new nearly every day. As a teenager, it is important that you have knowledge of technology so that you can use it to develop your gift.

·         Change your mind set. Contrary to previous belief, not everyone who finishes school will get paid employment. The job space is getting smaller due to the poor economy and the wide use of technology. This is the time for teenagers to think deeply about the best ways to express their gift in the marketplace.

 ·   Don't be a victim! Hosea 4:6a says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge”. Ignorance has been differently described as ‘a curse’, ‘evil’, ‘bad’, ‘wicked’, etc. When you are ignorant, it means you lack information and knowledge. Ignorance weakens your ability to identify and to develop your gift. Learn to study the word of God. It will point you to your gift area. Learn to read books. They will provide further exposure concerning your gift area. Get a mentor. Someone who is more matured, knowledgeable and experienced in your gift area, to help and support you.

Conclusion:

Who is the beneficiary of your gift? The gifts of our 4 examples have served the whole world. Your own does not need to go that far if only one person can benefit from it. Some of you are gifted in playing instruments, what are you doing with it? Some of you are good at certain subjects, are you using your gift to help those struggling with theirs?

At the end of the day, remember that we would be asked to account for the use of the gift that God has given us. In the story of the 3 servants in Matthew 25:14-30, the Master asked for a report from his servants. What will you say to the Lord in such a time?