Gift: It’s your gift that brings you greatness not your skill- Apostle Aigbogun
Apostle Aigbogun
The Senior Pastor of Grace Outreach Global Church, Apostle Olusegun Aigbogun has explained why many fail in life even when they have skills.
In an online broadcast recently, Aigbogun said many confuse their skill for their gift thinking that since they are good at certain enterprise they are bound to succeed.
According to him the gift of a man is different from the skill. He explained that the gift is coded in the gene of man. “It is what makes you different from others. It is wrapped, covered by grace and sustained with time. It is something that makes you unique.”
He said that until a man discovers his gift, it may be difficult for such a person to succeed in life. “Your gift is the master key that opens the door of greatness in your life and make you excel in life.” he said.
Citing the Biblical example of Paul whom he described as a successful person by all standards, Aigbogun said what made Jesus brought Paul to the fold of believers was the gift of God in him adding however that the gift God was looking for in Paul is not many think.
“In the case of Paul many people think he was saved because he was well educated or because he could teach. Don’t forget that Peter preached after he experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit and about 5000 people gave their lives to Christ. There were people who could preach well among the disciples. So it was not Paul’s eloquence or the fact that he is well read that endeared him to God. What endeared him to God was his courage. The gift of Paul was courage. It was the courage he had that made him unique when he came into ministry. That is what made him excel.”
While explaining that boldness is not the absence of fear but the presence of courage, Aigbogun stated that sometimes your gift can be used in the wrong place. “In the case of Paul, he was using the gift of boldness and courage that God gave him wrongly. He was using it to kill the people of God. He was using it to do difficult assignment for the devil. But God brought him to the kingdom so he will be useful in spreading the gospel. So when he became a Christian, he was useful in preaching the gospel in difficult places and he was even ready to suffer in the hands of his own people for the sake of the gospel.”
He explained further, “Your gift is what God created with you. If you don’t focus on your gift you will be shooting your arrow in different direction. Greatness is about purpose and fulfillment. Don’t let that which you desire distract you from what you have been created to do.”
Giving a practical example about himself, Aigbogun said he used to sing very well and had thought his destiny was tied to singing.
“I composed many songs and had produced albums. Everybody around me said I was a good singer and were so convinced that I will make it big with singing. I had my band, played for the church and all those who knew me said singing would be my pathway to greatness. But the unexpected happened. I lost my voice in one of my outings and I did not recover from it till now. It became clear that singing was not what will bring me greatness.”
He said time is the great revealer of a man’s gift. “It is your gift that allows you do things differently. Ten people may be singing but your gift will make you stand out. Your gift does not come with glamour. It comes from what God created you to be. You will develop into it. A man that carries God’s gift does not run after money, but money runs after him. The first step to greatness is to know your gift and then follow the direction of that gift by nurturing it.”
1 comment
Hello sir, having gone through Apostle Aigbogun’s post, these are my responses to his views
(1) Does God call people because of their gifts or because of his purpose? (1Cor 1:26; Rom. 8:28)
(2) Although salvation and calling to ministry may take place at the same time as in case of Paul ( 1Tim 1:12-27) the fact still remains that they are two separate experiences ( Eph. 2:6-10)
(3) Every gift and skill in the life of a person that God has called is useful for God at any point in time. Moses was brought up in Pharaoh’s palace where he was learned in all the wisdom and learning of Egypt (Acts 7:22) That experience was useful for God when he was called to bring the Israelites out of Egypt.
Jesus called Peter and his friends out of fishing profession (Mt. 4:18) But at a point in time he used the fishing skill of Peter to raise fund for paying the temple tax (Mt.17:24-27)
Paul was trained as a skillful lawyer at the feet of Gamaliel ( Acts 22:3) but even as a missionary he used that skill to defend himself in law court against the Jews (Acts 24)
(4) The bases for success in ministry is different from bases for success in other enterprises. Irrespective of gifts and skills, obedience is the hallmark of success in ministry. In other enterprises, these two and other things may be needful.
In conclusion, I do not mean to counter anybody’s views, but I am only trying to make us see the need to put things is proper biblical perspectives in order to build the body of Christ responsibly. My views are also subject to the Bible.