First and foremost, I believe talents, gifts, skills are special abilities that God puts into people to help or to serve others in society or the world at large.
Let’s look at what God said in Exodus 31:1-6
Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts– to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.
Furthermore, in Exodus 28:3, the Lord said to Moses: “Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.”
So we must understand that talents and people are gifts from God. God cannot just throw the talents raw into the world, else, we won’t notice it to even benefit from it. He must find a package or a container and nicely put them inside. These containers are human beings. So people are gifts from God to the world. The devil has nothing good to offer. He can’t give gifts. What he does is to influence our gifted sons and daughters to use their God-given gifts to negatively influence society. He destroys God’s gifts by destroying the people whom God has deposited his gifts. He does that through arrogance, greed, drugs, drunkenness, womanizing, bad counselling or bad company, hatred, bitterness, envy, strife, occultism and other forms of vices and addictions.
When I think of the likes of Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Brenda Fassie of South Africa and our own Ebony Reigns (Priscila Opoku Kwarteng), I think it’s about time nations and society took some responsibility to offer some protection, expert advice and guidance to their talented citizens so that we can have them among us for as long as possible. So that we can get the best out of them and get them to be a positive influence on society. We can’t say it’s their life so we ought to leave them alone. They carry gifts and skills from God for themselves and for service to their community and humanity. That is why Paul said ‘Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others – 1 Peter 4:10. The gift is not from themselves and just for themselves.
Our gifted citizens are of great influence to society and the world. They are viewed or expected to be role models and inspiration. That is why when something bad happens to them, it affects the society or nation. Such people bring solution, joy, inspiration and happiness to many as they manifest their talents. For me, though they have their rights, they are also a property of the nation or the community to which they belong. Therefore, we must watch, guide and take some responsibility for them, because talents and people are gifts from God unto nations. Rest In Peace Ebony Reigns.
