“The man BEGAN TO PROSPER, CONTINUED PROSPERING Until he BECAME VERY PROSPEROUS.” – Gen. 26:13 NKJV
A renowned preacher once said that “life is in phases and men are in sizes.” There is nothing as real as this wisdom word, especially in the time we are now. Where there are “make-rich” keys flying everywhere, the jackpot wealth emerging on television almost weekly, and yet most believers still could not defend their financial state with God’s word. Just like the life of a river is in three stages, the life of a man is in three stages; so is our financial life in three stages:
(i) The stage of not enough
(ii) The stage of just enough
(iii) The stage of more than enough
Isaac was a good example of a man who went through these three stages of wealth. Understanding that wealth is in stages will make you desire to progress. It will also strengthen you not to envy others ahead of you and make you encourage those behind you. Let us take each of these stages and discuss the peculiarities associated with them.
THE STAGE OF NOT ENOUGH
“And he began to prosper.” – Gen. 26:13
This is the first stage in the wealth ladder. We all are expected to begin from here. “Those that shunt it always come back to it directly or indirectly.” It is God’s way of doing things—beginning small.
“Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly.” – Job 8:7 NKJV
Smallness is always associated with the beginning. It is normal to start your business or vision small. It is the stage of not enough. The greatest asset in this stage is the vision. You may not have all the money, but the dream is strong and clear. It is the ground-breaking stage where you are trying to prove your worth in the financial world.
Known by only a few—your colleagues at school, family members, and childhood associates. With little or no working exposure, the need to get recommendations from those above is always paramount at this stage. Loans, debts are synonymous with this stage. Delay in paying staff salaries and rents are peculiar with this stage.
The not enough stage or beginners stage is meant to endure for a season. It is not supposed to be a permanent stage. The duration varies with the field of business and other obvious factors. Developing good relationships during your early financial life is very important. Networking with those above will enhance your recommendation, and learning from them will increase your experience.
Another vital key in this stage is your investment into your future. Though it is a not enough stage, you must invest in your tomorrow if you will go forward. Investing in your future involves acquiring more knowledge in your field of business, deliberately saving out of your little resources, and giving to others ahead of you. To move ahead from the not enough stage, you must deliberately increase your input in terms of labor. Diligence is highly essential here. Working beyond closing hours, spending time thinking about how to expand and consolidate the work should be the lifestyle of anyone in the not enough stage.
Another vital key you need in this stage is how to take a giant stride—what some people call risk. Giant strides become a risk if they are not divinely inspired. You will be better inspired if you spend time with the Holy Spirit, with the word of God, and glean from the works of those ahead of you. Every step to progress is never without a risk.
Isaac took a great risk to sow in a famine-stricken land. Such risk is necessary if you will progress to the next level.
Finally, you need to pray for divine favor; this will make your work be accepted and acknowledged where it really matters. You will be qualified for divine favor if you keep spiritual principles, especially in the area of faithfulness. If you are faithful with the little you have now, then God can entrust you with much. If you prayerfully apply these steps, you will certainly move to your next level.
THE STAGE OF JUST ENOUGH
“The man began to prosper, and continued prospering…” – Gen. 26:13 NKJV
Isaac moved from the not enough level to the just enough level. Financial progress doesn’t just happen—some actions and sacrifices are involved. If you have scaled the first hurdle, then you should be able to scale the second also. The changes may be so gradual and unnoticed, but they will be obvious over time.
The just enough stage is the stage in your life where you start breaking even financially. There may not be outstanding marginal profits, but obviously, no loss. Debts are minimized to a controllable level with less pressure in clearing overhead expenses.
At the just enough stage, you gain some financial integrity and creditworthiness with your bank and other creditors. Financial integrity is a product of faithfulness to deadlines and other promises. This is one singular virtue you must covet if you will progress financially. Paying your staff salaries on time, honoring your bank loans, and clearing other professional charges are part of what gives you financial integrity.
The just enough stage reveals your wealth of experience and professional skill. You cannot be easily pushed aside any longer. To stabilize and progress from this stage entails a lot of sacrifice and grace. Never see yourself as having arrived; otherwise, you will stagnate and plateau. Get yourself envisioned afresh, acquire the latest technological skills in your field, and strengthen your reserve. Your reserve is your strength when you get to waterloo.
At the just enough stage, you have to exhibit leadership and administrative skills. Investing in your staff and making them see the work as their own, strategically building the work to outlive you.
Like the middle stage of a river, where it starts forming meanders, so is the just enough stage—you must strategically diversify and invest in other similar businesses that can serve as feeders to your main business. It is the best way to expand. Investment should also be in property and asset acquisition. The need to take a giant stride and be dynamic will give you an edge over competitors.
Always crave divine favor and never cease aspiring for greater heights. You can also advance, even if it is as gradual as the speed of a snail.
To be continued in the next edition.
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