Principles are fundamental truth that wherever they are put to test, they always produce the same result. The outcome are always predictable, in other words, if you follow XYZ principle, we can tell what it will result into.
There are several principles in life but there are two that are more relevant in this season we are in. They are largely required now because the most important thing that will make anyone come out of this period victorious is the creation of relevant value.
These are the two main principles;
1. The principle of Preparation. Gen 41:46-49
Joseph practiced this principle and has become a major reference point for us. There was going to be famine in the land for a period of seven years after a seven year period of abundance. Joseph was wise enough to know that the time of abundance was the time to prepare for the time of scarcity, and he did just that.
The principle of preparation suggests putting resources together against a time of scarcity for the purpose of exchanging it for value. It’s about planning for tomorrow today as if tomorrow was today.
For an individual, it could include building an image for yourself in a skill area,
acquiring value adding skills and being well positioned for opportunities or disruption that will come up.
For some of us, we may have come to face this current situation without being prepared. The good news is that you still have today to prepare for tomorrow, so rather than being sad about where you are now, put yourself together and start your preparation for tomorrow.
2. The principle of Relative Advantage. Gen 47:13-26
Again, we see from the scripture how Joseph through the law of relative advantage got the whole nation of Egypt to be Pharaoh’s property. While he was busy saving for the days of famine, many others were busy enjoying themselves. When the reality dawn on them that money which they have kept aside for raining days had failed, they had no choice but to submit their money generating asset (cattle) to Joseph. The famine had hit the nation and there was great scarcity. Everybody wanted something which nobody had except Joseph. He had a relative advantage (food stored up), something of value that the whole nation needed.
After giving every cattle they had and they still need what Joseph had, they came back to him asking him to take them as servants plus their land.
When you have something of value that people cherish so much and they have to depend on you to get it, you have a relative advantage.
This principle works through your ability to recognise opportunity and capitalise on it, helping people have what they need, providing relevant values, making available what seems to be out of reach of people.
Is there a skill you have that is of high value now, don’t hide it, this is your time.
The following guidelines will help in applying these two principles;
1. Understand that God’s grace is upon you. Be conscious of His promises. John 15
2. Be conscious of happenings in your environment. Everything around you is a business opportunity. You must identify what it is, the value it provides, for whom and how they can access it. What can you do differently on your job to make it more value adding? Gen 26:12
3. Conquer your fear and step out immediately. Isaiah 60:1-3,22
4. It’s never too late to begin. Your lack of preparation may have caught up with you, you don’t need to live in regret, pick it up from where you are and start all over again. Remember point number 1.
5. You will always have excuse, but never believe one of them. I know this makes a lot of difference because the times that I have excused my excuse, I always see the difference in my personal life. Remember, nothing happens until you make them happen.
God bless you.
Akindele Afolabi
Christian Employee Series.
This really blessed me
Thank God for that