By Steve Lyston
James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”
Based on World Sports Network’s 2023 statistics of the average salary for sports personnel, here is what the average salary for persons within various sports looks like.
National Basket Association (NBA) $10,407,099
National Football League (NFL) $ 4,539,164
English Premier League $ 4,497,218
Major League Baseball (MLB) $ 4,355,353
National Hockey League (NHL) $ 3,538,520
La Liga $ 2,228,105
Major League Soccer $ 490,597
Women’s National Basketball Association $ 104,176
If the industry goes down, it will have a significant negative impact on the economy – Gross Domestic Product (GDP), remittance, security, and employment levels. Many in the industry are allowing themselves to be used by the devil to destroy lives and lead people astray.
ELEVATING EVIL
The enemy has used many of these sports and entertainment personalities to elevate the unclean things above the clean things by way of the wealth, gifts, and talents that God has afforded them.
Some use what God has given them to elevate witchcraft, eliminate the unborn, push the gender agenda, and the division of the family. The purposes of being given gifts and talents are to:
- Utilize them to worship God
- Do good
- Maintain peace
- Empower the poor
- Educate the masses
We are now seeing the opposite take place. Many no longer honour God with their tithe, nor do they give to the poor, nor spread the Good News as ambassadors of Christ. They don’t even tell Him thanks for what He has already given them.
When God is giving gifts and talents, He looks beyond race or status. We were all born to fulfil our purpose, carry out our assignment, and bring glory to God.
1 Corinthians 14:12 says, “Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.”
Also, 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do itas with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
GREAT SOLUTIONS NEEDED
We are living in a world that needs great solutions. The body of Christ has the greatest resources to offer mankind. For every problem that exists on this earth, there is a solution, and God has placed these solutions in vessels by way of gifts and talents. We can’t allow artificial intelligence or robots to take the place of mankind.
The globe is in trouble because those with gifts and talents failed to utilise them for God’s glory. They are instead using them to promote the forces of darkness. For those who sing, are their songs bearing fruit? Are they uplifting or destroying lives? They will be accountable for all the gifts and talents God has given us.
Gifts and talents are to be used to impact nations, increase GDP, and create jobs. Each person must look past the get-rich-quick mentality and ensure that those to whom they are connected are bringing glory to God, and if not, they need to detach themselves so they can fulfil their purpose and assignment.
GIFTS AND TALENTS FOR ECONOMIC SURVIVAL
While God will give us wisdom for survival with our gifts and talents, many in the Body of Christ are pricing themselves out of the “market.” They no longer see themselves as God’s ministers but as merchandisers. As a result, there will be a great purging of the Sports and Entertainment industries. A changing of the guard is taking place because they are not building God’s kingdom; they are building for the enemy instead. They are taking the Gift-Giver for granted, as well as His grace, favour, and mercy.
They have been using the investment that He has placed within them to build organisations that fund and fuel evil. (1 Peter 4:10) Very shortly, they will need to pledge allegiance fully – whether to light or darkness.
DON’T SIT ON YOUR GIFTS AND TALENTS
God never gave us gifts and talents to sit on them, sell them, or use them to manipulate others. The gifts are not for us but for others. (1 Corinthians 1:5–7; 1 Corinthians 12:7).
It is so embarrassing that even within the walls of the House of the LORD, where those within possess a wealth of resources, you can barely find volunteers to do God’s work. This has led to burnout among the true and faithful servants of the Lord who continued in the way of the Lord. If every single person within the Kingdom was utilising their gifts and talents, there would be a major impact on solving the problems that exist today.
Apostle Dr. Steve Lyston presides over Restoration World Outreach Ministries Inc (RWOMI). Contact: biblical_economics@yahoo.com