Growing beyond your salary – Part 1

William Abraham said “All persons are hypnotised from infancy by the culture in which they grow up. We are all products of the prevailing thought-pattern of where we grew up. Sometimes, we are even told not to question such culture or thought-pattern, whether it’s still working or not. I believe the prime task of the adult life is self-de-hypnotisation and enlightenment.

In the past 100 years, money has become almost as necessary for survival as air, water and food. Today, money is synonymous with survival and when survival is at stake, people get desperate. Out of Fear, people get trapped by what they call, “most secured” paycheck-to-paycheck cobweb just to survive. At such point, people stop taking risks and stop developing their own potentials. Some people might even get a job of 6 digits salary and feel it’s okay; not knowing this is just an illusion. The Bible says we should not be conformed to the system of this world. God doesn’t want us to become victims of the exploiting system of this world (the Babylonia system).

Every employee thinks his employer makes too much money and exploits him. This is true either in London or Ondo (a state in Nigeria), either in Ottawa or Ota (a part of western Nigeria).“Make it your goal to minding your own business and working with your hands…” 1 Thes.4: 11 NLT

You need to own your own Business, either full time or part time. Many are never out of debt, because their salary is never enough. If you are only living on salary, you are living one step above slavery. Many say, “I don’t have to worry, I’m still young.” At what age will you begin to view the ageing process as a reality?

“So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Ps.90: 12 NKJV.Many are not thinking beyond their salary, because they believe they’re still young and they have time.“So teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom.” Ps.90: 12 AMPC.

You don’t have forever to fulfil your Purpose. They say in the corporate world that, “Option diminishes with age.” Don’t spend your prime time and youthful age earning only your paycheck. Start your own business now, either on part-time or full-time bases, so that you can have a stable business to fall back on. This is why many end up living on their children, when they are old. They put pressure on their children to accomplish what they failed to do in their prime time.

Jesus said, “I must work the work of Him that sent me while it is day, for the night comes when no man can work (Jn.9: 4) Wake up from your slumber and maximise your day. Your day is your prime time and youthful age. Have you ever thought of what you will be doing when you retire? Robert Kiyosaki advised that a person should buy at least 4 houses. He explained that they should live in one and use the remaining three to support their retirement age. How many people that are living only on salary can acquire 4 good houses before retirement? If you don’t want to end up as a burden to your children after retirement, you need to start your own business on time. If you don’t want to struggle for survival after retirement, you better start creating multiple streams of income now.

Jacob lived only on wages for 14 years while working for Laban and had nothing to show for it (Gen.30: 25-31).  Jacob story changed when he went into an agreement that is beyond salary with Laban and began to own his own sheep. You need to stop building your future on unstable platform that is making little or no contribution to your life. Let’s look at 4 reasons, why you need to grow beyond earning only salary:

• The growing needs of your family might be increasing at the rate faster than your salary increments. So, you have to start digging well(s) before your dry season, if you don’t want to be stranded.

• Family pressure may not allow you pursue more certifications in your career; hence you get stagnated in your career. Many career people are now frustrated, because their employers are dumping them for younger and more qualified staff.

• The need for your special skill might be diminishing, due to a growing number of people with the training. Your value diminishes as the rate at which you are needed diminishes; it’s as simple as that.

• If your company doesn’t have a strong footing and it packs up, you might be left jobless without anything to fall on. You might be having a right ladder on the wrong wall. This can lead to mid-life crisis.

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… to be continued.