The Bible is a great source for business strategies. I have often seen that many people utilize the principles but do not necessarily quote them as taken from the Bible.
In my study of 2 Kings 4, I realized four business elevation lessons that will help you win. This is the story about the widow of one of the prophets who came to Elisha. She was in a difficult situation. Her husband who feared the Lord had died, she didn’t have any money, in debt and creditors were on her case.
LESSON 1 – FOCUS
Elisha told her that after collecting the jars she should go into her house with her sons, shut the door behind her, pour olive oil from her flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled. Learn to keep quiet and focus. Shut the door as you strategize and put your plan of action into operation mode. This lady was busy with her sons pouring oil into jars and the whole world didn’t need to see her in action.
LESSON 2 – ASK FOR HELP
At some point in your life, you must put shyness aside and ask for help. In this case, the woman didn’t ask for money. She had a flask of olive oil and she borrowed equipment [empty jars] and utilized all hands on deck – her sons kept bringing the containers to her.
Some folks have the knowledge, skill and everything else to make it work and all they need is the equipment, rental space, gadgets etc to get things moving. Remember, the prophet told the lady to borrow “empty jars.”
This means, she didn’t need to ask for jars filled with stuff even though her situation was really bad – no food. Perhaps your friend has access to someone who can help you get to where you ought to be. How about you ask directly, no beating around the bush and just tell him or her to connect you with that person so you can ask a few questions or get some concrete info? How about you borrow some gadgets or tools that when utilized with your knowledge and skills, you can come out of debt?
How about you borrow some effective equipment so you can fish properly to feed your family or come out of debt? How about you get all hands on deck and get your immediate family involved in the total emancipation and wealth creation process?
LESSON 3 – SPEAK UP
If things are not going well for you, don’t hide the problem from your spiritual father or spiritual mother, mentor or coach. Talk. Every problem has a solution. Many have walked the same road you are on. When Elisha asked the widow what she had in her house, she answered, “I have nothing in the house except a jar of olive oil.”
She didn’t hide her struggle. She didn’t try to act like she had everything under control. If you want change to take place in your life, SPEAK UP. if you cannot talk because you are not sure of what the “mentor, coach, spiritual father, spiritual mother” will do with the info you share, perhaps it is time to change that too!
LESSON 4 – TRUST GOD
He provides for His children. Remember Elisha was a man of God and God used him to deliver the woman and her household from debt and starvation. This lady obeyed and did what Elisha told her to do. If you believe God, what He says will come to pass in your life, will come to pass indeed! After all His Word in Psalm 37:25 says:
In all my years I have never seen the Lord forsake a man who loves him; nor have I seen the children of the godly go hungry.
Did the lady go and beg for bread? Did her children go hungry? NO.
A very important principle to learn from this Scripture chapter is this:
Learn to help yourself. The lady used what she had, borrowed equipment she did not have to save herself and her family. Stop begging people for money. Learn to fish for yourself so you can keep your dignity and come out of debt.
Image courtesy of frs
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