Invest in People 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts.  And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.  He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers. Exodus Chapter 35 verses 30 to 35.

You can and should invest in people by training them.

Nebuchadnezzar invested in the members of his court by ensuring that quality young men were always sought for and trained for three years before graduating them into the inner realms of the court. That way, Nebuchadnezzar always had a pool of competent leaders who assisted in the day to day affairs of his expansive kingdom. Significantly, the training was designed to prepare them for leadership roles as well as advisory roles to King Nebuchadnezzar in the day to day running of affairs in the kingdom of Babylon. Quite significant and instructive is the fact that graduation from the training did not automatically place the newly trained leaders in the inner realms of the court. They were further subjected to rigorous interviews by the King. Their performance at the interviews determined whether they were brought into the direct service of the King or not.  Daniel and his friends passed the interview and were instantly recruited into the direct service of the King. Please see Daniel Chapter 1. Those who did not pass were probably subjected to further training in the outer court so that they would be given greater responsibilities upon graduating.

It is pertinent to note that King Nebuchadnezzar, like many other Kings of his days and even contemporary leaders in diverse fields today did not and do not spend great sums of money for the sake of spending money on training just so they could be seen to be training people. It was for the purpose of raising and growing leaders who would in turn raise and grow other leaders. Investing in people through training was and is for the purpose of developing human capital, a key resource for sustainable economic growth and general development.

Always Plan for Abundance 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Quite significant and instructive is the fact that the relationships you invest in play an important role in the journey to and plan for abundance. This is because some relationships are time wasting relationships which drain you spiritually, physically, mentally and economically. They do not in any way contribute to your personal development and will therefore not help you to plan for abundance.

On the other hand, there are positive and highly energizing relationships which spur you on to achieve at all times. They not only inspire you but they also encourage and teach you to excel above your peers. Therefore, invest time in quality relationships which move you up the ladder. People who have visions and a clear sense of purpose and direction are the people you need around you. You do not need people who engage in criticizing and judging other people and economic activities; yet they are bereft of any life transforming knowledge. Unfortunately, such people are often failures in their different areas of endeavor and are looking for partners to increase their club membership.

The relationships you urgently require are relationships that will inject life into you through the information they share with you. The biblical Ruth, a widow with no economic resources and leverage whatsoever in Israel; who lived off gleaning; became the wife of Boaz and co-owner of Boaz’ wealth because of the life transforming information that Naomi shared with her. You can imagine what would have happened to Ruth if she chose to spend time with fellow widows who frittered time in idle chatter and immoral activities instead of diligent work and quality relationships. She would have remained, poor, hungry, insignificant and unknown. But because she chose quality relationships, she became significant, famous and wealthy and is also listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ. What greater honor could anyone desire!

The widow of the indebted prophet chose who she shared her challenges with carefully. She did not did not fritter time in idle chatter and gossip. She also did not go to the company of complainers, murmurers and grumblers and maligners. Neither did she set up a pity party. Rather, she went to see the prophet Elisha and shared her problem with him and from the depth of divine wisdom and the Holy Spirit in him, Elisha gave the widow divine instructions which brought about economic transformation in their lives.