We live in a world today where people want to get a result without doing any work. People want to make money by doing nothing. This has made many people believe that hard work does not pay. 

In the first reading of today, we see a demonstration of how hard work and being at right with God became a blessing for David. He expressed shock and surprise at the level of blessing God had given to him by making him king over Israel. 

The gospel reading calls us to exert our energy into doing what is right. This is because what we get depends on what we have given out. We cannot invest or sow little and want to get much more. Hard work still pays. As lamp is placed on a stand to give light to all, so should we use our talents to the glory of God so as to receive his blessings. 

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.