Matthew 25:15 says, “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”

Every man is gifted. Regardless of what one may assume about oneself, we are all chips of God’s big block. Like Him, we are able. God gives us resources in proportion to our abilities just as He gave the folks in this scripture talent. In verse 14 of the same chapter, we are told that …He delivered unto them his goods and expected them to trade with it.

When we trade with something, it suggests that we engage it in certain ways in order to generate income. If you have ever heard about trading in shares or trading in oil or anything for that matter, then you will appreciate that what God is saying in plain language is this: deploy the abilities that I have deposited in you using the resources available to you per time to attract patronage and by the same token make income and have some fun along the way.

One problem that people have however, is that people tend to look down sometimes on the ability that God has given to them and therefore they find it pretty difficult turning in a dime from its use. If you read the whole story about the three guys that were given talents, you will recall that the unprofitable servant looked down on what he was given so he couldn’t trade with it.

You find at the end of that story that he lost the opportunity to become somebody because he failed to appreciate what his master had given to him and perhaps, he also compared himself quite unfairly with the other guys who had two and five talents. You don’t have to have five talents to make things happen in your life; that one you have is good enough to turn things around in your finances. Trade with it!

So many Christians are looking outward for breakthrough in their finances while their abilities are lying fallow unutilized or at best underutilized for the most part. Child of God, the bible says that God “…is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that worketh in us.” Eph 3:20. This power that worketh in us makes up the abilities He has deposited in us. Friend, it is high time you too started working it. Until you work your abilities up, nothing works. God will not do any more than you are willing to work your abilities. It is no wonder that you are not getting more results than you desire. Work ‘em up!

One thing I have also learnt from personal experience is for someone to always put his best foot forward. In every organization, it is a common strategy to always put the best product(s) on the frontline. This concept is rarely applied by most people I know. Have you ever heard the saying that, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”? If you have, how come you always never think to attack the conflicts of life from your areas of strength? How come? Most people prefer to make a clumsy impression just to get a business and then later go for plastic surgery. That is poor thinking.

Every company has a flagship product i.e. their best selling product and they use it to leverage their other products into profitability and so must you. Learn to put your strongest abilities to full use and let them lead the charge. Don’t mess things up trying to prove a point with low end abilities. Always put your best foot forward. Always!

For further Study

Ephesians 3:14-21

Personal declaration for the day

Today, I will put my best foot forward.

Questions for you to reflect on

• How much of your ability is currently on display

• Are you putting your best foot forward?