18th January, 2022.

START THE YEAR ON THE RIGHT FOOT Pt.18

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12. Wisdom is as good as an inheritance. Yes, it is more excellent for those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense, even as money is a defense; but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

ACQUIRE FINANCIAL EDUCATION(D)

The parable of the talent best illustrates today's point. Jesus told a parable about a master who gave his servants talents. One was given five talents, another was given two talents while the last one was given a single talent. Talent was the currency of that time just as naira, dollar, pounds and euros is to our generation. The servant with five talents traded with his talents and got five more, the one with two talents traded with his and got two more while the last one buried his. There's a lesson for us all in that parable. All the three servants were given money but only two multiplied it. Another principle of financial intelligence is revealed to us in that parable- money multiplication. The last 'M' in the the school of money is 'Multiply'. After making and managing money, you need to find ways to multiply it. This year, you need to acquire the skill of money multiplication in a legal way. I'm not talking about money doubling or get-rich-quick schemes but gradual and intentional multiplication of money. This takes time. It is not sudden.

One of the ways to multiply money is through investments and profitable ventures. Entrepreneurship is God's method of multiplying what He has given to us. When money is made and managed but not multiplied, financially stagnation is inevitable. Money not multiplied loses value with time because of inflation. I'm of the opinion that no man/ woman should have a single means of income including ministers. In Joshua 21:1-2, we saw that the priests & Levites had cattles. It was a means of passive income for them. They were partially self sufficient and not totally dependent on tithes&offerings. Woe unto that preacher whose total reliance is on tithes, offerings and honorarium. If not careful, such minister may trade the truth for money because his meal ticket is tied to the proceeds from the altar. That's why we have many centres today where the Gospel is watered down to attract more crowd who in turn will give more. I'm not insinuating that preachers shouldn't be paid but their reliance shouldn't be on ministry proceeds only. It is not appropriate financially to have income from a single means. Financial experts advise that we all need a minimum of four means of income either actively or passively.

To multiply money, start praying about what you need to do with that money you're making and managing. You don't need to quit your job to do this, there are services you can render to people in exchange for money right from the comfort of your home/ office. Technology affords our generation the opportunity to market products cheaply. You may need to acquire some skills that you can deploy at your free times in exchange for money. You can multiply money using what you love to do. Legal money multiplication revolves around solving problems for people in exchange for money. This is why i hate money doubling schemes. It is not solving any problem. They just promise you that you'll get a double. This year, don't be ashamed to plug into legal opportunities that will fetch you more. Degree or certificated jobs may not launch you into the realm of financial multiplication. It may earn you stability but not surplus. Farming business that many elites neglected years back is what almost everyone is going into again including professors. Colonel Harland Sanders built KFC by frying chicken for sales because that's what he loved doing. At 65, he launched a business that became a global franchise. He who has no shame will multiply money easily.