So here I am, pondering, wondering about my life, who I am, what I want to
be, who I aspire to be, how I plan to achieve becoming that person. Hence, I
began to think about some remarkable people who I admire in terms of wealth
acquisition. I thought, though these people spring from different works of
life, there appears to be something similar about their modus operandi. They all have multiple streams of income!
I know some folks may dim this post highly
unnecessary based on the fact that it is something one should know with common
sense. Well, common sense isn’t common at all. I see many civil servants that
have served for about 15 years before they are able to acquire their first car.
I see business men who run a business that I can describe by saying, “Once I
was young, now I’m old and the business is still at the same stage.” I see
graduates who have had a job for about 5 years but have to save through their
nose before they can buy their first car or even comfortably rent a house
without seeking for support from friends and relatives. All they need is what
everyone might refer to as ‘common sense’, but it is obvious common sense isn’t
common after all. If not, the streets won’t be swarming with jobless graduates
and struggling individuals, daily on a quest for the next meal.
What do I mean
by Multiple Streams of Income (MSI)?
I will make it as simple and as easy to
understand as possible. Multiple Streams of Income refers to a system of
creating wealth (income) using different medium. I would work
more with examples on this post. There are a number of people popular and unpopular
alike who fit into this category of MSI users. One of the biggest of them all
here in Nigeria is Aliko Dangote. This man has taken advantage of the mass
ignorance in the society to enrich himself. Some have a theory that he was the
only one given the license to produce cement and stuff like that. Let’s say
that’s the case, so it’s true, what are you going to do about that? Are you
just going to sit in your living room taking in all the news updates on Aliko
Dangote? Will you spend the little money you have on staying up to date with
what the newspaper has to say on Dangote’s every move? Or are you going to
think, get up and go do something about the state of affairs of your finances?
Furthermore, many have left their own lives
to keep tabs on the assets of Pastors and Ministers generally. It is obvious
also that most of them aren’t quite knowledgeable about what the scriptures say
concerning the needs of (real) men of
God (Deuteronomy 18:1-5). I will only say this once, “Stop keeping tabs on the acquisitions
of men of God or who is entitled to the tithes and offerings. It is not in your
place! You are not His God!” Most of these men of God have actually earned
their wealth. God has blessed their years of fasting and praying, soul-winning
and evangelism, etc. No one knew them when they were holding fellowships under
the tree and in their individual homes, but the moment they become global
figures, everyone begins to pry into their private lives. Just like every
business starts small. There was a time when they were small until God made
them great. It is better for you to go to them for counseling on how to become wealthy
than form a committee that exists for the purpose of checkmating wealthy men of
God. You’ll stay poor that way, trust me. These men of God make money from
their websites, e-books, hardcopy books, audio and video messages, etc. not to
mention ‘givings’ by their members.
Another set of people that I admire a lot
and I think their Nigerian counterparts should take a cue from them are
Hollywood celebrities. I’m talking about Victoria Beckham, Heidi Clum, Jennifer
Lopez, P. Diddy, J. Z, Beyonce. Etc. they could have stuck with just music, or
acting or modelling, etc. but no. They know that it wouldn’t be enough to fetch
the kind of life they dream of, hence they ventured into so many other things. I
know conspiracy theorists have come up with so many talks about celebrities and
their source of wealth, of which we know everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Nevertheless, what can you take out of their lifestyle? What can you learn?
Have you ever
thought about why the bible says, in everything give thanks to God? I have
discovered that, no matter how bad a situation is, there is always something to
learn from it. Let’s say the government is corrupt, the preachers are evil covetous
men and our beloved celebrities are devilish, what have you learnt from their
lives?
My advice will
be, focus on the good part. Focus on the part of their life that is moral and
edifying. Focus on their determination to succeed, their (physical) sources of
income, their unwillingness to quit or be okay with so little. God has put in us talents and potentials for
wealth creation. You need to dig deep inside you to find it. Now whether you
want to use it/them to His glory or not is a choice that we’ve been given. Nevertheless,
complain less about other people’s success and focus on acquiring yours.
Thanks for viewing
this post. I hope it was inspiring.
