Deut.8v18: And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

I do believe that you are enjoying our discussion on the subject of economic empowerment. I have shared so far with you five powerful secrets of economic empowerment. These are powerful tools and instruments for breaking free financially and entering into your financial inheritance. It is very clear from our text scripture in (Deut.8v18) that God’s will for you is economic empowerment and lifting. But if this is going to happen, we have a part to play and that is why we have been talking about the hidden truths that will unleash us into a life of financial prosperity. It is very important for you and I to note that when we play our part well, God is committed to playing his part well. According to (Amos 3v3), two people cannot work together except they agree, so I believe you are ready for another eventful time. Today in our study and without much ado, I would like to proceed by sharing with you another powerful tool that will usher you into your financial prosperity. I believe you’re ready for this, so off we go.

HOW TO PROSPER ECONOMICALLY

6. Make wise use of your gifts and talents. Your gifts and talents are one of the avenues of economic empowerment; in fact, your prosperity is connected to your gifts and talents. I read some statistics some years ago which says that an average individual has between 500 to 700 skills and abilities. Think about this for a moment; this is mind-blowing. The truth of the matter is that we are all extraordinarily gifted and talented. According to (Romans 12v6), we all have different abilities, but the important thing is what you are doing about those gifts and talents. The truth of the matter is that you are capable of many things than you think. You have potential. I love that word potential. Potential means dormant ability, hidden talent, unused power or untapped strength. By the way, when we say gifts and talents, what do we mean? We are talking about abilities that you are endowed with either physically or spiritually. There are inherent abilities that you did not work for that are in operation in your life. These gifts and talent exist in raw or seed form, and what you do with it determines its outcome. This is why you need to refine these gifts and talents if you are ever going to break free financially. Africa is a wealthy continent. The problem is that we have not refined and maximized our potential. I am told that the vast majority of resources lie in Africa, but what we do with those resources determines our future as a continent. The problem is that we have done nothing virtually to harness and develop these minerals or natural resources that we possess as a continent; that is why we are still where we are. But the narrative can change the moment we have leaders and systems in place that puts plans into motion to harness the mineral resources that we possess as a continent. The same will be true about you also if you begin to work and develop your gifts and talents. There are several people today who have broken forth financially because they developed their talents and abilities. The world is blessed today because of what the likes of Michael  Jordan has done by refining his talents with regards to basketball. The same can also be said about the likes of Messi and Ronaldo. By refining their gift or talent in football, the world has become a better place. The list is an endless list which we don’t have all the time in the world to expatiate on, but, the bottom line is that you too can achieve economic empowerment when you take the development of your gifts and talents seriously.

So how can you turn your gifts or talents into something profitable? You can do this by the following:

• Identify your peculiar gifts and talents. It’s important for you to know what you possess as a gift or talent; otherwise, you will not make much out of your talent. So know what you have. Know what your strengths are first before you embark on this journey (Jug.6v12).
• Identify the opportunities or avenues around you. It’s important to put your talents or gifts to work if it’s ever going to become a gold mine in your arms. So make sure you are practising your gifts or talents well enough because, as they say, practice makes perfect. Never despise the days of little beginnings; make sure you seize the opportunity that presents itself to you (Eph.5v16).
• Connect your gifts or talents to those opportunities that are around you. You need to find a way of linking whatever you are gifted or talented at to the opportunities that present itself when it matches. That is when it begins to produce the kind of results. So you need to be vigilant enough to identify those opportunities and take advantage of them.
• Strengthen your talents and abilities. What do I mean by this? Never be tired of working and developing your gifts and talents. In fact, the more refined your gift and talent becomes, the better the prospects and the opportunities. So never stop working on your gift and talent. The more refined it gets in your hand, the better your opportunities and chances, so never stop upgrading and developing your talents (2Tim.1v16).
• Never give Up. Don’t give up on your gifts and talents, it may not speak now, but with perseverance and determination, it will speak at the end of the day. You need determination for it to bring you to the place of breakthrough. So never say never, you will get there if you stay with it in the name of Jesus. So it’s time to identify and use what you have to the best of your abilities.

OtherScripturalReferences:(Eph.4v7;1Pet.4v10;Prov.15v6:13v7;2Cor.4v7;Ps.68v18;Rom.11v29.1Tim.4v14).

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, help me to be able to maximize the immense gifts and talents that you have blessed me with to the glory of your name for the betterment of humanity in Jesus name.

CONFESSION: I know that I am extraordinarily gifted, and I appropriate the gifts and the talents that the Almighty has blessed me with. I am not lazy with regard to this talent that I possess. I rather put them to work. I am diligent and prudent with my talents and gifts. I do not allow them to lie down follow as I harness and develop these talents and abilities; it is making ways for me. It is taking me beyond what I can imagine or comprehend. It is opening doors that no man can shut and shutting doors that no man can open. It is opening up onto me a world of unlimited possibilities as I develop these talents. I am a blessing to my world, and my needs are adequately met. I am blessed to be a blessing in Jesus name.

Pastor Yemi Adeoti

Yemi Adeoti is a pastor, teacher, life coach and mentor & also a prolific writer.