Successful people are not those who only work hard, but those who work smart. Many hard workers do not generate results. While hard work is good and everyone must work hard, it takes working smart to achieve desired and enviable results. The key to working smart is wisdom.
The Bible says, ‘If the iron be blunt, and he does not whet the edge, then he must put in more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct’ (Ecc 10:10 KJV). Wisdom is profitable for success! Without wisdom, you will be laboring in vain. The Bible also says, ‘Except the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain that build it…’ (Psa 127:1 KJV). Without the wisdom of God at work, lasting and outstanding success cannot be achieved.
In the school of success, more strength or effort does not equal more results. It is more wisdom that equals great results. King Solomon became the greatest and richest king of all time in the Old Testament because he possessed divine wisdom. Jesus Christ excelled during His earthly ministry and became the greatest man ever to live on the surface of the earth without scandal because He operated with divine wisdom. Jesus was a smart worker because He had wisdom, and so we can’t experience His order of success outside of divine wisdom.
How profitable is wisdom in actualizing great success?
Wisdom is profitable because it empowers you to work smart, enabling you to optimize your productivity and efficiency to achieve your goals with less effort and time. Here are practical ways through which you can profit from divine wisdom:
#1: Setting Clear Goals:
God has a plan for every one of us—a plan to succeed and not to fail (Jeremiah 29:11). But for us to succeed, we must set clear goals that align with His plans for us. This is possible through the operation of divine wisdom. The wisdom of God will guide you to craft specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. The journey of success begins with a clear goal.
#2: Prioritize Every Task in Your Life:
The wisdom of God at work in your life will help you identify high-priority tasks that align with your goals. Jesus said, ‘The Son is not able to do anything himself; he is able to do only what he sees the Father doing; whatever the Father does, the Son does it in the same way’ (Joh 5:19 BBE). That is the power of wisdom in Jesus Christ, helping Him set His priorities right. You are not called to do everything; there is a specific task God wants you to do, and that is what should be important to you and your priority.
#3: Planning Your Day:
Everyone is given 24 hours every day to make a difference in their quest to reach their goals. To succeed in life and reach your goals, you need daily success in things that pertain to your purpose. To make this happen, you need wisdom to create a daily or weekly schedule with actionable plans. With wisdom, you can allocate dedicated time blocks for tasks and breaks. If we are asking God to give us our daily bread (Mat 6:11 KJV), we also need to ask Him for wisdom for our daily tasks.
#4 Eliminating Distractions:
Staying focused requires wisdom. Many things may be legitimate in nature but can become distractions in our pursuit of our goals. Jesus overcame a major distraction during His earthly ministry when they wanted to make Him King (John 6:5). With wisdom, you will be able to minimize interruptions and create a focused work environment.
#5 Delegating and Outsourcing:
With the operation of divine wisdom, you can delegate tasks that others can do as effectively or better than you. Just as the apostles, through the wisdom of God, delegated the serving of tables to enable them to focus on the ministry of the word and prayer (Act 6:2-4), you should consider outsourcing tasks that don’t require your expertise.
#6 Automating Repetitive Tasks:
Some tasks are repetitive in nature and should be automated. This is where innovation comes in, and it is subject to the operation of divine wisdom. The need to use automation tools and software to handle routine and repetitive tasks is important, as this can free up time for more important work.
#7 Learning to Say No:
You need wisdom to avoid overcommitting yourself to people or tasks that take you away from your goal. With wisdom, you can respond to every request accordingly and save yourself from distractions (Colossians 4:5-6). You should also politely decline tasks or projects that don’t align with your goals or capacity.
#8 Mastering Time Management:
Everyone aiming for success needs to develop time management skills. There are various time management techniques that can help you enhance focus and productivity. The Bible says we should make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16), which is only possible through attention to divine wisdom.
#9 Continuous Learning and Improvement:
There is a saying that “if you stop learning, you start dying.” It is wise to stay updated in your field to enhance your skills and knowledge. The Bible says, “… give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1Ti 4:13 KJV). You should be learning from your mistakes and seeking feedback for improvement. Ultimately, the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide (John 14:26), and we should submit to Him at all times.”
#10 Take Care of Your Health:
You need a healthy body to reach your goals in life. This is the wisdom you should value. Without a healthy body, we cannot fulfill all the purposes that God has for us. The Bible says, in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV), “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Ensure that you prioritize your physical and mental well-being through exercise, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy sleep pattern, and managing stress.
#11 Collaboration and Efficient Communication:
Working smart requires fostering effective communication within your team. The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17 (NIV), “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” With divine wisdom, you will be able to use collaboration tools to streamline work and share information efficiently.
#12 Regular Review and Adjustment:
Jesus taught this when He sent the disciples in pairs (Luke 10:2-12). They were to observe the gains experienced through their ministry and build on them. We should periodically review our goals, strategies, and productivity techniques and adjust our approach based on what’s working and what isn’t. God, in His wisdom, does not appreciate waste (John 6:12).
#13 Using Technology Wisely:
The wisdom of God is not against the use of technology; rather, it helps us leverage them to streamline tasks and improve efficiency. All things created by God should be received with thanks and used for His glory (1 Timothy 4:4-5). Keep up with relevant software and tools in your field and consider using productivity tools and apps to stay on track.
#14 Staying Organized:
To succeed in your calling, you need to maintain a well-organized workspace. A disorganized life cannot produce tangible results. God is not a God of disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33), and neither is His wisdom. Ensure the availability of task management tools and to-do lists to stay on top of your work.
#15 Seeking Help and Guidance:
The Bible says in Proverbs 11:14 (NIV), “For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” We shouldn’t hesitate to seek help or guidance from mentors, colleagues, or experts in our field when facing challenges. Our first point of contact should be the Holy Spirit, our Senior Partner and Counselor. The Holy Spirit is the Smartest Personality in the entire universe, and following His ways is the ultimate key to lasting success.
In conclusion, remember that working smart is not about working longer hours or working hard, but about making the most of your time and resources to achieve your goals effectively and efficiently through the operation of divine wisdom. I pray for you that God will grant you the grace to be a doer of these words and profit thereby in Jesus’ name.
Amen. Thanks for this sir. It’s packed with devine wisdom.
Thank you