I noticed she kept sending in tithes to the Church account every now and then. I knew she just started her selling business, so I asked her, “how’s business? How do you do it that you keep sending in tithes?” Her response was this; “I tithe every sale (not profit).” I corrected her; “learn to separate your profit from your capital, you tithe your profit, not your capital.”
Friend, it is not enough to be in business, you need to know how it works. Some people are only in busyness, not in business. They are just getting busy without understanding the laws of productivity. The fundamental lessons for business success must be applied no matter how small or big your business is.
There is really no small business, there are only people with small mentality. Don’t start a business as a hobby or just because everyone is starting one. Know what you are doing. Put in the best biblical principles for business success (Proverbs 24:3-6). Don’t wait until you are big before you structure for growth. You can start small but be a person of excellence.
Lack of structure is the undoing of many businesses today. Don’t spend all your profits on yourself. You are not the business. Put yourself on a salary. Structure for the right partnership and profitability. People would find it difficult to send money to an individual account when dealing with your business. Pastors need to learn this too. It is not only a matter of integrity, but also a matter of structure and seriousness.
The Bible is the best textbook ever written about life and business. Every business person needs to study the book of proverbs, make it a life book. There are lots of lessons in it that would put wisdom in your heart and help you structure for greatness. You learn prudence (Proverbs 21:20). You learn integrity (Proverbs 11:3). You learn delayed gratification (Proverbs 24:27). You learn diligence (Proverbs 6:6-11, 22:29).
Nobody will reach his destiny of greatness if he’s not a business man somewhere. Most of the Patriarchs were business people who had a walk with God (Genesis 13:1-4). If you are not in business practically, you must at least have a business sense. Jesus even referred to his life’s assignment as business (Luke 2:49). No wonder he finished well and strong. What about you? Are you truly in business or just in busyness?
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria