We hear endless talk about productivity. It is the major focus of many of the most popular blogs out there. The bestseller lists may as well have a category dedicated to it. But what if we’ve gotten productivity wrong? What if it isn’t quite what we’ve made it out to be? What if it’s actually far better and far more compelling than we imagined?
As you know, I recently published Do More Better: A Practical Guide to Productivity, and one of the burdens that led me to write on the subject was a desire to redeem productivity from lesser definitions that focus entirely on tasks, projects, and money-making. Those aren’t bad things, of course, but they aren’t the heart of productivity.
The heart of productivity is glorifying God by serving others. It is carefully and deliberately considering the things God calls us to do, and deploying all that we’ve got for his glory and the good of people made in his image. It is giving back to him what he has entrusted to each one of us.
To that end, here are five things you can give to God every day.
1. Give Your Gifts
The Bible teaches that God gives each one of his children supernatural gifts. These are gifts given by the Spirit to empower us to be a blessing to others. Do you know how God has gifted you? Maybe he has given you a gift of encouragement so you are able to speak refreshing and life-giving words to others. Or maybe it is the gift of teaching, and you are especially adept at simply opening up the Bible, explaining what it means, and telling others how to live like it’s true.
The gifts are diverse, given for the benefit of others, and especially for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are a Christian, God has necessarily given you some of his gifts. Find those gifts and use them for his glory and others’ good.
2. Give Your Talents
God has not only given you spiritual gifts, but he’s also given you talents—areas in which you are naturally skilled. Perhaps you are a talented musician, or a talented writer or artist or host or leader. Do you know where God has given you this kind of skill? He has given these talents so you can return them to him, using them for his glory. No matter who you are and what you do, you can commit these to him and look for creative ways to use them for the good of others and the glory of God.
3. Give Your Time
Time may be that rarest and most precious of commodities. God gives you just 168 hours each week, and he gives them in trust, asking you to use them wisely and to steward them faithfully. Do you surrender your time to God? Do you commit your time to him? Do you plan your time as well as you can to ensure you are putting it to the best use? Begin every day by prayerfully giving your time to God, asking him to help you make each hour count.
4. Give Your Energy
Are you a morning person? A night owl? An afternoon warrior? You may be like me and find that your mind is sharpest and most active first thing in the morning. Or maybe you’re one of those rare people who’s at your best long after the sun goes down. Do you know when your energy is at its peak? Plan your day so that, whenever possible, you can give your best times to the highest purposes. Consider how you can use your best moments to accomplish your most important tasks. Plan to give God the best of your energy.
5. Give Your Enthusiasm
God gives us gifts, talents, time, and energy. He also gives us enthusiasm. He makes each of us feel passionately about certain issues or ideas. Where has God given you enthusiasm? Where do your passions lie? Are they toward teaching or mentoring? Are they toward issues of charity or justice? Find ways to deliberately use your God-given enthusiasm to bless others and glorify God.
What is productivity? Productivity is effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God. This is productivity at its highest and best. This is what God calls you to every day.
Image credit Shutterstock; this article first appeared at The Gospel Coalition.
