It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus.
Interpretation
True greatness comes from emulating the character of Jesus rather than exceptional talents.
This quote by Charles Spurgeon emphasizes that the qualities that make a person truly great are not their natural talents, but rather their ability to reflect and embody the virtues and character of Jesus Christ. It suggests that striving to be like Jesus—through love, humility, compassion, and righteousness—brings one closer to true greatness in life, overshadowing mere talent alone.
In practice
During a church sermon discussing the importance of character over talent.
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
I feel no need for any other faith than my faith in human beings.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
When you seek advice, do not withhold any facts from the person whose advice you seek.
Most writers tend to get worse rather than better. I'm determined to be one that gets better.
In part because individual judgement is not accurate enough or consistent enough, cognitive diversity is essential to good decision making.
Skill is successfully walking a tightrope between the twin towers of New York's World Trade Center. Intelligence is not trying.
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