Beliefs + vision + priorities + habits = increase

It is important to have the right ingredients to get your desired results. For instance, if you are baking a cake, it is essential to clarify what is needed and use them correctly. Also, when building a house, the builder must understand the materials necessary to create the structure. In the same way, those who want to “increase their talents” need to understand the specific ingredients to do so. 

In Matthew 25, Jesus told the Parable of the Talents. “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey” (Matthew 25:14-15). Later in the parable, it is revealed that the first two increased their talents, while the latter did not. The response of the master reveals it is unnatural to not increase (grow) in our giftings, influence, provision, and connection with God. The question is this: what are the ingredients to cause this increase? In this blog, I will share four key ingredients (beliefs, vision, priorities, and habits). It is important we get these in the right order.

1. Beliefs - If we don’t have the right beliefs, it will be impossible to reach our potential. Here are some basic things to know about beliefs:

• What we believe is more important than what we do.
• Any belief that does not have hope is under the influence of a lie. 
• Nobody’s past can hinder their future, but current beliefs can.
• Key beliefs to develop: 1) I will thrive no matter what happens, 2) There is always a solution, 3) Even if the worst happens, I will be okay, and 4) My forward movement in life causes Red Seas to part. 

2. Vision - Hope is the belief that the future will be better than the present, and we have the power to help make it so. Hope and vision are linked. It believes we are significant and have greater things ahead. Great beliefs create a big vision. People of vision:

• Have a Philippians 3:13 mindset: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
• Have a significant purpose - there is a specific cause or causes they are living for. 
• Attract resources to them because they are committed to making things better. 
• Have greater energy because they have something to live for beyond paying the bills and being comfortable and happy. 

3. Priorities - When we are living for something bigger than ourselves, we will be very intentional in what we invest our time, emotions, and resources into. We will have the right priorities and focus on the important (but non-urgent) time investments. We will have greater confidence in what to say yes to and what to say no to. Those with great priorities:

• Embrace Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
• Put God first, then their own growth, then family, and career/other pursuits after that. 
• Have their calendar and checkbooks reflecting these powerful priorities. 

4. Habits - “A habit is a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance” (Miriam Webster Dictionary). Once we have good beliefs, a burning vision, and clear priorities, we can make sure our daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly habits are in line with these. We will find ourselves sacrificing our “flesh” to live more consistently at a higher level. Those who want better habits will: 

• Determine what “little” habits make the biggest difference.
• Clarify the key habits to keep relationships with God and people strong. 
• Find key people to help strengthen the development of good habits.
• Celebrate progress, not perfection.

God is empowering us right now to increase our talents. As we combine the ingredients of great beliefs, great vision, great priorities, and great habits, we will create something incredibly fulfilling and powerfully influential to others.