May I share with you the story of a young man who made a striking statement: “Please don’t give it to me for free.” His words and attitude surprised everyone because we live in a world where many people lobby, beg, and even fight for free things.
This young man was in college with very limited financial resources. He struggled to meet the basic demands of his academics. He could not afford three square meals, let alone buy the recommended textbooks for his courses. To study and complete his assignments, he would borrow textbooks from his friends at night, read while everyone else slept, finish his work, and return the books first thing in the morning. This was his routine because of his situation, and he remained diligent despite the hardship.
One day, one of his instructors addressed the class and said, “I know this subject is very difficult. In fact, 95% of students usually fail it. But I have decided to show mercy and favour by giving everyone bonus marks. With this, all of you will pass my class.”
The entire class erupted in joy. Some students were shouting that God had answered their prayers. They were jubilating, singing, and celebrating, everyone except the young man.
The instructor noticed his calmness and asked, “Why are you not rejoicing like your classmates?”
With respect, the young man replied, “Sir, please don’t give it to me for free. Let me work for it.”
The instructor was shocked. He explained again that the bonus marks were an act of favour and that accepting them would guarantee his success. Yet the young man insisted. He said he would rather earn his grade than receive one he did not work for. Seeing his determination, the instructor stopped arguing. He gave bonus marks to every student except him and allowed the young man to sit for all the tests and exams.
The young man studied hard, wrote every test, and completed every exam. Though he did not earn an A, he passed honourably, and he was the only student who truly learned the content. The others relaxed because they had already secured their grades through bonus points.
Years later, after graduation, the young man began to apply the knowledge he gained from that “difficult” class. He solved problems with excellence. He achieved remarkable results. Organisations and nations began inviting him to help address complex issues. Meanwhile, many of his classmates struggled to secure jobs. They attended interview after interview, only to be found unprepared and incompetent.
Shocked at the young man’s global exploits, his former classmates asked him for his secret. He told them plainly, “Everything you see me do today came from the knowledge I gained in that difficult class. Many of you could not build that foundation because you depended on free bonus marks. That class was meant to equip us for our careers, but because it was difficult, and you were given free grades, you did not grow, and your foundation was weak.”
Some of them had to switch to entirely different professions after graduation. Others remained in the field but were barely surviving, doing the minimum because they lacked depth.
Beloved, is it not time we examine what we call favour? Any “favour” that exempts you from the necessary process required for the formation of your glorious future is not favour at all, it is a thief of destiny in disguise. Constantly seeking shortcuts or escape routes from the training that is meant to shape you is a disaster waiting to happen. You may not see the consequences now, but the cracks will appear later when you attempt to rise to heights you were never prepared for.
As you journey through life, one of the most important attitudes you must intentionally cultivate is the attitude of doing what is right. Sadly, this attitude is often overlooked because people tend to crave instant breakthroughs, the kind that feel good in the moment but leave the future full of regret.
The desire for shortcuts and immediate gratification has ruined more destinies than household enemies ever could. This attitude silently steals the future without announcing itself. It is the same mindset Esau had when he traded his birthright for a momentary meal (Genesis 25:29-34). A temporary desire robbed him of a generational blessing.
Yes, household enemies have indeed destroyed many futures, but before you blame them, take a honest look inward. Examine whether you have, knowingly or unknowingly, embraced the destructive attitude of laying a faulty foundation for your own future.
You must cultivate the attitude that boldly says no to anything that will negatively impact your destiny, even if those things come freely or look harmless. Some opportunities are not sinful, but they are still dangerous because they weaken your foundation, hinder your growth, or rob you of the process necessary for your development. In such moments, wisdom whispers, “No, thank you.”
Your future is a reflection of yesterday’s decisions and today’s discipline. If the foundation you are building now is full of compromise, inconsistency, and shortcuts, the future will be uncertain and unstable. But when you diligently cultivate the attitude of doing what is right, consistently, intentionally, and prayerfully, you will walk boldly and confidently into a glorious future.
When you fail to embrace the attitude of doing what is right, you set yourself up for a life of compromise. As ministers of the gospel and children of God, you must understand that nothing in the kingdom comes for free, apart from salvation, which cost Jesus His life. To succeed in ministry, you must be willing to pay the price of righteousness, holiness, brokenness, consecration, prayer, and fasting for divine empowerment. When God’s power comes upon you, your acceleration in ministry will be evident to all. But if you are unwilling to pay the price and seek promotion or titles by any means, the devil will exploit your weaknesses, and you may be tempted to seek power from another source. This is why many who call themselves ministers of God turn to the devil—they lack the attitude and character needed to obtain what they desire rightly.
Likewise, in the professional realm, failing to adopt this attitude leads to compromise in the pursuit of promotion. True advancement comes through diligence, integrity, and the wisdom of God. Anyone who intends to succeed in their endeavours must reject shortcuts and commit to faithfully doing what is right.
To cultivate this life-shaping attitude, I encourage you to embrace the following:
1. Value the Process
If you do not value the process, you will always search for shortcuts. Those who honor the process find it difficult to accept easy alternatives because they understand that premature elevation can destroy a person. They become uncomfortable when they notice gaps in their preparation. They are not ashamed to start again, if necessary, because their focus is long-term excellence, not short-term applause.
2. Focus on Preparation
After learning to value the process, your next task is to commit to preparation. When preparation is sincere, deep, consistent, and intentional, the results will speak loudly. Preparation may feel slow, but it produces stability, competence, and confidence.
3. Be Determined to Do What Is Right
Proverbs 21:3 reminds us, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.”
Walking in righteousness according to God’s wisdom may not be popular. Some people you admire may even discourage you. But doing what is right is what secures a future filled with peace, fulfilment, and divine approval.
4. Keep the Right Company
The company you keep shapes your attitude, your choices, and ultimately your destiny. If you surround yourself with people who cut corners, you will eventually do the same. But when you walk with those who value righteousness, integrity, diligence, and excellence, their influence will lift you higher and strengthen your commitment to doing what is right.
Conclusion
Beloved, greatness is never built on shortcuts. Destiny is not strengthened by free gifts that bypass the discipline of growth. The young man in this story distinguished himself not because he was smarter than his classmates, but because he embraced the process they avoided. He chose formation over convenience, preparation over ease, and responsibility over comfort—and the results spoke for themselves.
In the same way, your future will not be shaped merely by the opportunities you receive, but by the character you develop, the principles you uphold, and the decisions you consistently make. True favor does not exempt you from the process; it empowers you to go through the process with grace, strength, and excellence. Anything that robs you of preparation is not a blessing but a burden in disguise.
As you continue your journey, refuse the temptation to settle for what comes cheap, easy, or free at the expense of your growth. Choose the path that builds you. Choose the steps that stretch you. Choose the decisions that align with your destiny. The foundation you lay today will determine the height you can safely rise to tomorrow.
May God give you the wisdom to discern opportunities that build you from those that weaken you. May He strengthen your resolve to do what is right, and may your diligence, integrity, and obedience prepare you for a future far greater than you can imagine.
Walk boldly into your destiny—prepared, refined, and equipped—because you refused to take the easy way out.
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