“Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth” (Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV)
Created to: Be Productive Many people struggle with finding their life’s purpose. Some try to find meaning through comedy, music and other forms of entertainment. Others seek fulfillment through building projects or other large accomplishments.
But what if the main motive for being productive is not money or fun? What if the purpose is to give value to those around you?
God Created You to Be Productive
Whether you are a student, a parent, a business owner, or a politician, God wants you to be productive. He made you in his image and likeness, and gave you a desire to work. While sin has marred this desire, God’s grace can restore it to your life, and he will empower you to work for His glory.
The most important insight you can get about productivity is that it’s not a secular, materialistic thing. It’s about living for Jesus, helping people to know him, and serving others. When your ultimate goal is pleasing God, you are going to be successful in anything that you do—whether it’s studying, working, parenting, or running a political campaign.
This gospel-fueled, spirit-empowered approach to productivity is what the Bible calls “the fruit of your labor.” It is a joy to please the Father and bring him glory. This is a central reason why Christ died on the cross and rose again.
God Gives You Talents and Abilities
God gives everyone natural talents and abilities that make certain types of work easier for them than others. These strengths can be identified using tools like the Highlands Ability Battery. Then, people can pursue careers that let them use their biggest strengths.
Unlike skills, which quantify past performance, talents quantify potential. For example, someone who is naturally curious about the world might have an ability to quickly learn and solve problems. This is a talent that can help them be successful in any career field.
However, many people don’t know what their talents are or how to use them. They may waste time looking for the perfect job before starting to apply their strengths, or they might wait for a “perfect moment” before getting started. Don’t be one of those people! God expects you to take action with the talents He has given you. He will hold you accountable for how well you stewarded them.
God Gives You Opportunities
Opportunities can help you advance and prevent you from getting stuck in the same place. For example, if you are feeling stagnant in your job and it is not growing you, God may be telling you to take an opportunity elsewhere. He will open the doors of opportunity for you if you are seeking him and following his path. Usually when an opportunity is from God, it will be easy to tell because it won’t feel like work. It will be challenging, but not overwhelming. You won’t have to bribe or forge documents to get the job, and your coworkers won’t hate you.
However, it is important to know that just because an opportunity looks good on paper does not mean that it is from God. God will not call you to something that requires no faith on your part. His peace will always be present when you are moving in the direction that God has called you to go.
God Gives You Time
The best way to be productive is to invest your time in activities that matter most. Prayer, reading the Bible, building stronger relationships, and caring for your health are among these activities. They are productive because they bring God glory and benefit others eternally. They are more important than a high score on an inane video game or filling out a stack of paperwork.
Sadly, many people who claim to be Christians use their God-given talents and opportunities in vain pursuits. They may be extremely successful in their careers and have the adoration of the tabloids, but all this is worthless. They have been deceived into thinking that they are being productive by pursuing things that only last for a little while. Productivity for a Christian involves glorifying Jesus and helping others to know Him. It is about the intangibles that count—bringing people to Christ, feeding the hungry, and helping those in need. All this is possible because of the gospel.
