What can I do for you? This morning I thought Id share an extract from my upcoming book titled 8 Steps to effective entrepreneurship: Lessons from the story of a widow A biblical approach to entrepreneurship set to be a practical solution for an African child. This lesson doesnt only apply to entrepreneurs, but everyone who aspires to be successful and wishes to live a progressive life. “And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.” (2Kings 4:2 KJV). Two of the most imperative questions a needy person should be asked are ‘What can I do for you?’ and ‘What do you have?’ I believe that when First National Bank (FNB) came up with their motto, they had found the underlying problem of a needy and financially frustrated person. FNB asked ‘How can we help you?’ This question has the ability to relieve stress in one’s life. It comprehends the capability of the person asking you the question and enlightens you to see yourself in him/her. It also addresses the necessity (the need and not want you have), springs out hope and prepares one for a sense of responsibility. When presented with an opportunity to express your need, always suggest a solution that will solve the one challenge that prevents you from taking advantage of all the opportunities around you. I love the response of Bartimaeus the blind-burger who was the son of Timaeus when asked by Jesus Christ of his real need (see Mark 10:46-52). Jesus Christ asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus then and there knew that he had finally been given the opportunity to suggest a solution that is out of his human reach. He understood that through that one solution, he can be able to manoeuvre other things. He did not ask for much but responded and said “That I may receive my sight.” What Bartimaeus had asked for was an opportunity to have vision. Reading the bible you’d understand that God told Solomon that ‘where there’s no vision, the people perish’. This blind burger understood that for him to receiving vision, he would be able to achieve other things on his own. This doesn’t sound like the modern Bartimaeus of our time right? Our Bartimaeus depends on government grants to have a living and never asks government to give him a vision to sustain what they have. Sometimes life presents us with opportunities to say what we need in just a period of 5minutes. The worse-case scenario happens when we fail to understand the sheer magnitude of that opportunity and taking advantage of it. I could just imagine when Jesus Christ asked Bartimaeus “What can I do for you” and he answered “I don’t know. Anything you see fit to assist my situation.” I usually tell people that a lot of times we ask the wrong questions and don’t even know how to ask and yet we expect God to provide answers. I’m also reminded of Moses’ story when he was tasked to set the captives free from Egyptian slavery. One vital question God asked him when faced with a mammoth task was ‘What do you have in your hand?’ (See Exodus 4:2). God being the all-knowing and all-seeing supernatural being He is knew what Moses had in possessed in his hand but He wanted to help Moses see the power he had in his hand. The same question is directed to you. What do you have your hand? If you are at the place on the right time with the right person but ask the wrong questions and provide the wrong answers, you’ll not have an opportunity to be assisted. I even pondered on the idea of establishing an institution of aiding people ask the right questions in life and provide the right answers. Ever been in an exam room going through a certain question and was convinced that they examiner had asked the wrong question? I’ve been there and I’ve provided the wrong answer. Funny, I never got lucky with that one. One practical example is would be when in a classroom and you ask a lecturer a question that is misunderstood or irrelevant to the subject. The lecture will prolong due to the misunderstanding caused by your wrong questions. Know what you want so that you can know how to ask for help. Knowing what you want helps you know what you have. The second question presented to the widow was “What do you have in your house?” I believe this question assisted the woman to search deep in her house to find that one thing she has that can help her get out of debt. Her response was “I have olive oil.” What do you have? This question not only address the physical material but also looks into the spiritual material or the God-given gift you possess. Stay empowered, #PowerTalk by Abuti Rams Follow Abuti Rams on Facebook & Twitter (@abutirams) for more #PowerTalks
Posted on: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 06:12:30 +0000
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