Please proceed with caution.
There are truths about the business world that go beyond balance sheets and marketing plans—truths that may challenge your fundamental beliefs. This is a conversation the most elite entrepreneurs understand but seldom discuss openly. It is a candid look at a dimension of business that is often overlooked in traditional education: the spiritual.
Revisiting the Concept of Money
We are often told that cash flow is the lifeblood of a business. While this is a common and practical view, it is not the complete picture. At its core, money is not an end in itself; it is a placeholder—a representation of value created by humanity.
This value is not generated by the physical body alone but by the human spirit, the essence that gives us the capacity to create, innovate, and build. Money, therefore, extends the character of the spirit that wields it. If a person’s character is constructive, their wealth will be used for good; if it is destructive, the money becomes a tool for oppression. Money takes on the identity of the value it represents and the identity of the person who controls it.
This fundamental truth leads to a profound realization: Business is a spiritual endeavor.
It is one of the primary mediums through which the human spirit expresses its creative, God-like capacity. Just as artists, musicians, and innovators often speak of receiving ideas in moments of spiritual clarity, so too do entrepreneurs. These insights are not random; they are often a cascade of inspiration from a dimension that actively interacts with our physical world.
The Battle for Success: A Spiritual Warfare
The notion of a spiritual dimension to business became profoundly clear to me after a significant financial setback. A Nigerian billionaire I sought guidance from offered an insight that no business school could provide. He told me that my loss of 35 million naira was not merely a financial mistake but a spiritual one.
“Business is a spiritual warfare,” he said. He explained that as you ascend to new levels of success, there are “gatekeepers” or “strong men” that stand guard over each level. To progress and remain at that level, you must either defeat or appease these forces.
He advised me to choose the path of “defeat,” or conquest, over appeasement. Appeasing these forces might grant temporary access, but it leads to a lifetime of servitude. He emphasized that to win this spiritual war, you cannot do it alone. You must seek a “staff of authority” from the ultimate source of power—the one to whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given.
This conversation culminated in a powerful statement: “Favor can get you into business, but covenants are what will keep you there.”
Building Your Spiritual Foundation
My journey to understanding this began with seeking that “staff of authority.” I learned that consistent, frequent prayer is the path to building Ischus (enduring strength) and generating Dunamis (daily power). This consistent routine becomes a covenant—a personal practice that secures victory and prepares you for the inevitable challenges ahead. While the specifics of these personal practices are sacred, their effect is tangible and critical for sustained success.
To those who may be skeptical, I can tell you from my research: successful entrepreneurs worldwide understand this. They may not speak of it publicly, but they have their own practices for engaging with the spiritual dimension. Most operate in secrecy, some appeasing those forces that demand a price, but the truly great ones have chosen the path of conquest through spiritual discipline.
Do not embark on your business journey without first tending to the spiritual. This is not about religion; it is about recognizing the unseen forces at play in every venture. The success you seek is not merely a matter of tactics and strategy but of spiritual preparation and ongoing maintenance.