HOW TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE

“Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.”

Mathew 25:16-17 (KJV)

Hi folks it is nice to be back on this journey called productivity, we have reached a very important milestone of this narrative called “How to Become Productive”. From our journey so far it is very palpable that the most important factor in becoming productive is how the precious resource of time is used. The truth is most human resources can be replaced, a deforested land can be afforested, some resources can be renewed, but the resources of time can never be renewed. 

If time can be renewed or reversed then most of us would have rewound the tides of time to correct certain mistakes we have done in the past, besides all the other resources can be explored in the context of time. In other words no matter how resourced a person is, if one doesn’t have the precious resources of time which is being alive, all other resources are worthless. That makes time the most important resources as far as this narrative is concerned.

Let me refer you to a scripture we looked at in our earlier edition, it says “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 (KJV). Jesus Christ made this statement 6 months before his death, he highlighted the importance of time; He had only six months to live, Jesus Christ had only six months to complete his assignment on earth. He did not have time to spend on stuff that are not connected to his calling, there is no point spending time on things that are not productive. 

Because a time will come where you and I will not have the gift of time as we have now. What do you and I spend most of our time doing? Are we spending our day on unproductive things? Let me remind you of this popular saying “ Life is not a dress rehearsal”, the real stage is the time you have now, so we must make the most of it by making impact that will last years after we have left the scene. Let’s look at some of the ways one can become productive by analyzing this scripture narrative:

Mathew 25:14-30 (KJV)

 “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 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. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.............................................

 …………………………………………………………Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

From the scripture narrative we can deduce lessons on how to be productive in a way that pleases the Lord

1.       You are just a caretaker of anything you have – What most of us seem to forget is that we are just stewards of anything that gives us advantages in life. One’s money, beauty, job, career, intelligence, possession etc. doesn’t necessarily belong to him, as children of God’s Kingdom everything we have belongs to God, the bible says that “Who made you superior to others? Didn't God give you everything you have? Well, then, how can you boast, as if what you have were not a gift?” 1^st Corinthians 4:7(GNB). 

     The truth is, everything you are; which includes your achievement and whatever possession you have is given to you by God, have you ever wondered why we leave everything behind the moment God takes us out of this material world? From the account in Mathew 25 specifically verse 14 and 15, it says “At that time the Kingdom of heaven will be like this. Once there was a man who was about to leave home on a trip; he called his servants and put them in charge of his property. He gave to each one according to his ability: to one he gave five thousand gold coins, to another he gave two thousand, and to another he gave one thousand. Then he left on his trip.” GNB. There is a giver of whatever we have now, it is truth that we must accept.

2.       The gifts or talent was given according to your specific ability – One of the counterproductive posturing or mindset is to demean your ability or whatever you have in life, the reason why some of us have not been productive in life is simply trying to copy and be like others. My brother, be yourself!!! . The scripture 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.” Mathew 25:15(KJV). 

     It is clear from this scripture that whatever talents or gifting we have suit us the most, it will be an act of insult to God to envy the talents and the grace of others. God in his own infinite wisdom knows that five talents would be too much for some men and He equally knows that one talents would be too little to others. In our bid to be productive we must know our strengths and limits when it comes to our ability and then make proportionate improvement of the talents or gifting we have.

3.       We must put the gifts to use – Because of the counterproductive mentality of demeaning who we are and what we have, a lot more people have not put themselves to work. Among pastors now it is looking like everybody wants to be a prophet; my brother do not allow the popularity and the accompaniment of other people gifting or callings make you shun the one and only unique gifts God endowed you with. Whatever gift, talents, calling or ability you have put it to use, we do not have the luxury of time, the scripture says 

     “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.” Mathew 25: 16 -18(KJV). From this scripture narrative, it is overtly clear that productivity is the product of making use of ones gifts and talents wisely; when you and I get busy with our various talents or gifting we will definitely become fruitful. God’s Kingdom is not for idle hands, you must get yourself going.

4.       We will give an account of our stewardship – No matter how long it may seem, the is always the day of accountability; an accountability of how we use our money, beauty, talent, calling, positions, material possession, intelligence, influence etc. the bible says in 1 Corinthians 4:2  “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Apostle said ““Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

     Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 (KJV). The call of accountability is imminent, so I want to urge you to put your gifts to it maximum use. The giver of the talents will surely ask us to account for whatever we have been given; our faithfulness will be examined, let us not kid ourselves. The scripture says that “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” Mathew 25:19 (KJV). What do have to show forth for all the ability you have?

5.       We shall be rewarded accordingly - Mathew 25:20 -30, we shall be reward according to the level of our productivity and faithfulness; verse 23 says “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” From the scripture it is palpable that promotion and rulership is the deserved right of those who have been productive and faithful with what they have been given. Whereas misery and total lost would be the portion of those who are ungrateful, unfaithful and above all, unproductive with their gifting, talents or callings according to Mat 25:24 -30 (KJV)  

    “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 

     Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

My brothers and sister, life is not necessarily about how resourced, gifted, talented, or intelligent one is, but it is about how these resources are used in the context of time to achieve a profitable means. Africa is the richest continent on this earth, yet it is one of the poorest, why? Because instead of her leaders driving it’s people to make profitable use of it’s resources, they are using the most precious resources of their time in office to go abroad and beg for money from those with scanty resources who have dared to be profitable. 

How long will the African beg the west for aid? And how long will our leaders conduct the choir that is always singing a song that blames the white man for our predicament? How long will the energetic workforce (youth) of Africa leave their green and resourced ecosystem to cross the deadly Sahara desert, then  be tortured by the Mediterranean just in search for greener pasture in a white land called Europe?

The church is gradually losing its core mandate of going it the world and making disciples of all nations. Instead of the church spreading into the nations of the earth like wild fire, we have assembled into large and mega congregations like bonfire? My fellow Christians the day of the Lord is closer than you think; we must rise up and get more people unto the side of God. I would like to end, watch out for the next series called “Where Is Your Faith”. If you have any questions or comments you can leave it below, or you can also send me an email via- wisafawubo@gmail.com or send me a WhatsApp message on 0233868205.