I noticed that she kept sending in “tithes” to the Church account. Her business was just a few months old. Curiously, I asked, “you must have been making huge profits because I keep seeing your tithes.” Her response revealed her knowledge of business; “Sir, as I make sales, I pay tithe of the sales.” I had to correct her.
Friend, it is not enough to do business, you must do it well. Some people are just in busyness, not business. While it is important to venture into business, it is best to know how it works. I have folks around me who are making it big in business, and I’ve seen folks who have lost their investments due to ignorance or limited knowledge.
“The labour of the foolish wearies every one of them, because he knows not how to go to the city” (Ecclesiastes 10:15). In every field of human endeavor, the know-how is key to success. Ultimately, your learning power would determine your earning power. If you don’t learn, you would soon become lean economically and financially.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6). There is the requisite knowledge needed to thrive in life. This knowledge is situation specific. That you know how to quote the Bible or speak in tongues does not mean you know how to do business, just as being a man of God does not make you fly an aeroplane. There is the place of skill.
“If the axe is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). One of the signs that you lack skill is that you labour without commensurate result. That is not time to bind the devil; it is time to acquire the right skill. Grace is never a substitute for skill acquisition. Grace manifests itself in skills.
“…I have now come forth to give you skill and understanding” (Daniel 9:22). God answers our prayers by showing us what to do; who to meet, where to go, what to read and the strategies to deploy (James 1:5). Prayer is not magic, it has a logic which when followed births success. Your life itself is a business; live it well (Luke 2:49, 19:13, 1 Thessalonians 4:11). You will succeed!
© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria