Talent is given by God but you should respect it by doing good

"Talent is given by God but you should respect it by doing good work." — Johnny Lever

Hear, O children of destiny, the humble wisdom of Johnny Lever, the jester who made nations laugh yet spoke words of deep and lasting truth. When he said, “Talent is given by God but you should respect it by doing good work,” he uttered a law as ancient as creation itself. For every gift from heaven bears within it both blessing and burden — it is not ours to boast of, but to honor through labor. The divine spark of talent is placed in mortal hands not for idleness or vanity, but for service, for the elevation of others, and for the perfection of the self.

Talent, the ancients taught, is like a seed sown by the gods into the soil of the soul. Some receive the seed of song, others of craft, still others of wisdom or courage. But the seed alone is not the harvest. Without discipline, effort, and righteous intent, the gift withers, and what was meant to shine becomes shadow. Johnny Lever, born into hardship, knew this truth by experience. He rose from poverty, his laughter echoing through the streets, until the world recognized his gift. Yet he did not treat that gift as his own possession; he treated it as a sacred trust, to be cultivated through devotion and honest work.

In the ancient scriptures, there is the parable of the talents, where a master entrusts his servants with coins before departing. Some invest wisely, multiplying their portion; one hides his out of fear. When the master returns, he praises those who labored and condemns the one who did nothing. The lesson is eternal: to honor a gift, one must use it. Likewise, Lever reminds us that to respect talent is to refine it, discipline it, and offer it for good. God may give the spark, but man must kindle the flame.

Consider the life of Leonardo da Vinci, that divine craftsman of the Renaissance. His genius was not mere accident of birth — it was the result of tireless study, sleepless curiosity, and reverence for the creative force that flowed through him. He sketched endlessly, dissected bodies to understand anatomy, studied flight to imagine machines of air. His work was an act of worship, each stroke of the brush a prayer of gratitude to the Source that had endowed him. So too must every soul approach its craft — not as a burden, but as a devotion to the divine within.

The wisdom of Lever’s words lies also in humility. To claim that talent is given by God is to remember that no man creates his own brilliance. Pride blinds, but gratitude enlightens. The one who forgets the Source of his gift uses it for self-glory and soon loses its power. The one who remembers, who bows before the divine in his work, transforms his art into a channel of light. Whether one paints, heals, teaches, or entertains, the sacred duty is the same: to let one’s talent serve the good of others.

In our age, where fame shouts louder than virtue, this teaching is a needed remedy. Too many seek to display their gifts rather than deepen them. They crave applause but neglect discipline, desire success but forget purpose. Yet the wise know: talent alone is noise; good work is music. Johnny Lever’s life stands as a testimony — his laughter was not frivolity, but healing; his craft was not pride, but prayer. Through his art, he honored the One who gave him voice and vision.

So, O seekers of greatness, let this truth take root in your heart: every gift is sacred, and every talent a responsibility. Do not waste it in idleness, nor corrupt it through arrogance. Work with sincerity, persevere with patience, and let your labor be your offering. Respect your talent by honing it, and respect the divine by using it for good. For the Creator gives freely, but only the devoted transform the gift into legacy.

And thus the lesson endures through ages: Talent is divine, but greatness is earned. It is not enough to be gifted — one must be faithful. Whether your talent is to lead, to heal, to build, or to bring joy, remember the words of Johnny Lever, and make of your work a prayer, your effort a hymn, your life a temple of good deeds. For in doing so, you honor both your gift and the God who gave it.