These Two Things Will Make You Poor - PT. 1

One common factor among poor people is poor money habit; wasteful generousity in plain language. I dare you challenge me to the contrary. For instance, the Poor are Givers; powerful and addicted Givers. The Rich are not! I have never seen givers as the poor. The poor, I can authoritatively say are the most generous givers ever seen. On the other hand, the Rich are not givers, but investors. The Poor are the cash cow readily available to be milked by the rich. They are tireless donors. They give arbitrarily to attract empathy, sympathy, pity or at least favour of everybody, particularly, the rich and the wealthy. If you are in doubt, answer these questions; who gives without expecting returns? Who runs an errand at no cost? Who releases his/her stuff to satisfy others? Who considers himself last? Who volunteers to help even when you have not solicited for same? Who can you engage anytime? Who escorts you to sign a contract or seal a business deal when he has no stake? Who exerts his energy without benefits? Who have no respect or value for time? Who expends and burns productive energy in other people’s business? Who is busy for others but himself? Who is suffering and smiling? The Poor! The Poor! The Poor! Ask a poor man for direction to a desired destination, he would not only describe the place, but volunteer to take you there at no cost. He runs errands and burns energy without profit and consideration attached. He is the figure of the nice man everyone knows in the neighbourhood.

Let’s drive this home by comparing the habits of Givers - the Poor, with the habits of Investors - the Rich and the wealthy: The poor are givers, the wealthy are investors. A giver is extravagant, charitable, and philanthropic with his or her resources; be it material, human and financial. An investor considers returns before parting with any sum in his hand. A Giver does it for God while investor does it for gold. A Giver gives generously without any string attached but an investor wants to know what’s in it for me. A Giver says, ‘I have nothing to lose’ while an investor ask, ‘what do I stand to gain?’ and lastly, ask for help from a giver, he will abandon his own work, go extra miles to make it happen for you. One the other hand, ask the rich and the wealthy (business-minded or investor) for help, you’ll be lucky to have him render 10-30% for you.

Don’t be too serious!

It has become normal to start the year full of energy, enthusiasm, highly spirited, and full of live. Many fired their hope, aspirations, dreams and great expectations with dry fasting and prayers. During this period, listen to people; it is not difficult for anyone to be a motivational speaker.  Whatever approach adopted as an individual in starting the year with; all is well! While I believe nothing is wrong or bad starting on those notes. I will encourage you to take it slowly, not too seriously (not complacent though) but steadily and consistently.   

Occasionally, relax, crack jokes, look funny and be funny. Make yourself happy. Visit friends and party when necessary. Enjoy your life. Attend live events. Release your nerves. Remove tension. And renew your mind. Do ‘crazy’ things and laugh it all out! For even your maker says; ‘But these things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!’ Hab 2:3 TLB. You will win because; slow and steady win the race.

Quit the struggles

Having tasted wisdom

Foolishness becomes a taboo
Wisdom simplifies matters before me
Wisdom magnifies the microchip solution hidden in a matter
She doesn’t cry to be heard in public domain
Wisdom amplifies the voice even in silence
She fly without losing colour
Wisdom bridges the gap and shorten long journey
Light surpasses darkness
Revolution incomparable to resolution
Fulfillment is higher, superior and better than success
With the instrumentality of wisdom;
Hope dashed is better than hopelessness
Just as Wisdom is better than strength
And Strategy is better than energy
Quit the struggles; get the multifaceted Wisdom
Wisdom offends, defends, preserves, sustains and retains
Oh depth of Wisdom I pray!

THE MAGICAL WORKINGS OF LUCK

All for Luck! Luck? Yes, luck! Few words generate arguments and contention like it. The religious mind contends and preaches against it. The free mind is neutral about it. The indolent contends for it. Some pray for it. Some pray against it. Some clamour for it. Some shout it down. Some wait and waste for it. Some work for it and work into it. And, some accidentally, by chance or providence walk into it. 

Truth be told; aren’t you appreciating the way things fall in place for some? Aren’t you amazed at the way things happen for certain people? Aren’t you amazed at the speed, the frequency and the accelerated promotion of some? Aren’t you unnecessarily agitated for the remarkable rising to stardom of some? Aren’t you jealous of others occasionally? Aren’t you envious and desire the way it is for some? Haven’t you nurtured, and questioned the impartiality and fairness of God and nature? Has it ever occurred to you some people seem to monopolize and customized God so to say? I mean – that God seems to be at the prompt service; give attention to the prayers, need and aspiration of some than others? Aren’t you hungry, angry, longing, yearning and praying for that little luck or favour to smile upon you? 

Wisdom Today Speaking, yes, we all did, and do at some point in time in our life. Although, those guys might not even be able to explain the way it happened. A very critical, but balanced view will help. The word luck may not be in the holy book or in the constitution of any nation. In fact, depending on your religion affiliation, philosophy and school of thought – you may/may not believe anything called luck. Nevertheless, I believe in luck. Assuredly, there might be many ways to kill a rat, but, only one way is needful per time. There might be many formulae to solving a problem; but you only need one per time. Ultimately, there might be many ways to the market, but you must know yours per time, because, you can’t access all the routes at ones. The need to identify your way per time is Key to making things happen in life. This is simply Labouring Under Correct Knowledge – LUCK! Because sometimes, and most times, 'a handful of luck is worth more than a truckload of wisdom'.

Change is geography

Change simply means geography, relocate, re-position, exposure, and environmental. What’s your definition of change? Change, most often when used, connotes attitudinal, character, orientation, manner and mentality transformation, renewal and refinement. But the major enhancer of the aforementioned is geographical, locational and positional change. Change of environment or exposure to a new world leads to mental upgrade. When you relocate or change environment…it radically and drastically alter your attitude, culture, values, manner, character, orientation, thinking, perception and mentality. You definitely wear a new look altogether. A new you emerge with time. We are products of environment! The first question God ever asked humanity. Where are you? A question of geography but the man supplied a biological answer, ‘I am naked’. Where you are (place, environment and geography) determines your definition and concept about life and consequently your economy. Change simply means relocate, geography, re-position, exposure, and environmental.

The Litmus/Acidic Test of True Wisdom

The test of wisdom is not in how vast you are in learning.

It is not in how much you know.

It is not in how much you can offer/deliver.

It is not in how intelligent you are.

It is not in how dull you seem to be

It is not in how clever, smart or slow you look.

It is not in how oratory you are in speech.

It is not in how eloquent you are in speech.

It is not in how accurate your judgment is.

In fact, it is not in “how always right, correct, precise and accurate your judgements are! ”

                                         

It is in how humble you are.

It is in how corrigible you are.

It is in how much you are ready to take correction either when you are wrong.

It is in how much you can swallow your pride.

I mean it is in how much you can swallow your pride when conversation or discourse does not go your way.

It is in how much you could swallow your pride even when you are Right but the issue, matter, discourse or the point of discussion does not go your way.

Prov 9:8-10

Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;

rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;

teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,

and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

NIV

You could be Praised for 24hrs and forget the Praise so soon but, always remember that little insult in the midst of the 24hrs. Somebody could praise and commend you for the next one hour but the only thing you will not forget is the area of disagreement. And this is pride. You must learn to swallow your pride. Perhaps you need to know that;

You will not always have your way because, your most honest advice, opinion will be rejected one day!

You will not always have things done in your own way even if/when you are Right!

You will not always win the argument all the times.

You will not always be right all the times.

Therefore, you must learn to always tolerate and celebrate others because, he that compete with another is not complete. Your most accurate counsel and advice will face rejection and opposition willfully or otherwise one day. Would you kill yourself for that? You must always learn to swallow your pride to give others the chance to reign or have their way also. You must imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

Ahitophelic Case Study!

2 Sam 16:21-23; Ahithophel answered, "Lie with your father's concubines whom he left to take care of the palace. Then all Israel will hear that you have made yourself a stench in your father's nostrils, and the hands of everyone with you will be strengthened."

So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof, and he lay with his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.

Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God. That was how both David and Absalom regarded all of Ahithophel's advice. 2 Sam 17:1-12 NIV

Ahithophel said to Absalom, "I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.

I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king

and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed."

This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

But Absalom said, "Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say."

When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, "Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion."

Hushai replied to Absalom, "The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.

You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops.

Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, 'There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.'

Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave.

"So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba - as numerous as the sand on the seashore - be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle.

NIV

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father's tomb. NIV

Caution of Wisdom

The more you know the more your teachers reduces. 

The more you know the more those who will correct you will be far away from you.

The more you know the more your teachers become little in your sight.

When Solomon thought he knew and nobody was wise enough to correct  him

his wisdom become corrupt. May you and your wisdom never be corrupt.

                                               

Adigun Timothy

Without taking anything away from this piece, I think James 3:13-18, will compliment this write up very well!"...Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom...." Often times, what people have is knowledge [ acumination of facts, experienmental results and figures of proof], not wisdom and no matter your status, knowledge puffs up! But if a man has wisdom, the litmus test is "...a good conversation with meekness ..", which you called Humility! Nice one bro! Thank you sir! Your write up is always a blessing, thought provoking! God bless you, God bless Word of God Service!

  Oluwapelumi Johnson Olatuyi  This is Top Secret. A person that lives in Humility is a wise person.

Adegoke Victor I'm coming across this write up for the first time sir and i must confess, it really ministered to me. It's precise, complete and inspirational. Wisdom from another perspective which i think is exceptional. God bless u for this and many more coming. I've been blessed!

Favour Folorunsho  yes, very unique write up and so much more healthy for the mind, wise saying is only for the wise for it is too hard for the otherwise. ... I blessed the Lord for Pastor John A.

Nicholas Ogwuche  This piece seems to encapsulate what wisdom is all about, awaking my consciousness to the fact that wisdom is indeed the principal thing. bless you sir!

Oyediran Funmi Oyebisi Its inspiring and inspirational. I`m blessed. May the Lord bless the works of thy hands pastor.

Ajibola Christopher Thought provoking prov 4:7bkjv with all thy getting get understanding,prov17:24akjv wisdom is before him that hath understanding,17:27bkjv a man of understanding has an excellent spirit It takes the understanding of God to apply wisdom. Thank u sir. Humility, even the Almighty God says in his word to the Humble I God humble myself. There is a greater power in humility. 

                 

TO ALL MY TRUE BENEFACTORS

It is not everybody that is thinking about YOU. And, to be candid, you are not, and cannot be thinking about everybody too. Differences abound between; 

1. Asking before receiving,
2. Thinking for you, and
3. Thinking about you
By way of illustration; you may need to either humble or humiliate yourself to ask some people for help, which may or may not guarantee receiving. Many may be thinking for You, perhaps because you engage or pay them to. But, none of those is applicable for those thinking about You.
 
Second Kings Chapter number four verses nine and ten confirms; she said to her husband, "Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually. 10 "Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lamp stand; and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there." NASU

Unfortunately, those thinking about you are not just few, but rare to come by.  Sampling or conducting opinion poll of your so-called friends, associates, partners, colleagues, well-wishers and even family members will attest to this dangerous truth. Selah. Therefore, discern, connect and appreciate those people that are thinking about you, your family, your peace, comfort, well-being, future, dream, career, project and ministry. Do not be ashamed to ask. Do not neglect or despise those that are thinking for You. But, appreciate specially and treat with honour and dignity those that are thinking ABOUT YOU! I sincerely appreciate those that are thinking about me and my ministry; Gideon Ayooluwa Olatuyi, Adigun Timothy, Agbonfioror Philips, Oladele Abiodun, Komolafe Kayode Kingsley, Deaconess Oyewole, the Oyewoles, Oluwatobi Titilayo OJD and a host of others whose names are not mentioned for want of space. Because, it is a blessing and rare honour to have you all thinking about me!