Before you build your house…

Build your business. This is the war between security and investment mindset. Let’s face it, you can have a beautiful house and still sleep hungry. While business is a risk, it’s those with a business mindset who eventually own many houses. I’ve seen people who bought a house in the name of peace of mind. But the pain they go through trying to keep their jobs to pay off mortgage is anything but peace of mind.

Interestingly enough, the Bible advises us to build our business before building our house. In the days of King Solomon, the business most people did was farming.

Proverbs 24:27 (NKJV) – Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house.

What you don’t invest, won’t multiply. What you don’t trade, won’t increase. What you don’t market, won’t sell. What you don’t work, won’t work. Life is a risk. Only the person who risks is truly free. The biggest risk you can take is to do nothing. While you can burn fingers in business, don’t live expecting misfortunes to come your way. Have faith in God. Great achievements involve great risks.

But don’t ride on someone else’s success. You don’t know their inside story. Be passion driven. Do your market intelligence independently. Study the industry you want to invest. Define your products distinctly. Be sure how you’ll market your product(s). Select your business model. Have a realistic financial plan. Manage your finances prudently. Separate your business bank account from your personal finances. Don’t quit no matter how fierce the battles that come your way. Press on till you break-through.  

DR. K. N. JACOB