There is a Yoruba adage that says when you fail to show appreciation or be thankful for a good done to you. To the person who has done you that good, it is like an armed robber has dispossessed him of his belonging. The armed robber is a thief. And the generation of thieves are very much around. They were there during the bible days and also operational during Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Can you remember that parable of a good Samaritan told by Jesus? The robbers waylaid that traveler, took his belongings and injured him badly. Judas, even though among the twelve was a thief, this implies that being a member of a church does not stop people from stealing. God says something about this special people; a curse is upon the house of a thief. If you are not showing appreciation, it could be taken to be stealing; hence it is mandatory to learn how to appreciate.

When a thief is caught, he will pay for all he has stolen, even if he has sold all he had, there is no mercy for the thief; nor favour. If you do not want God’s curse to be on your house, learn to appreciate.

For the entrepreneur, you need a lot of grace, mercy and favour for you not to be a failure or an outcast in your kingdom. Not showing appreciation could cost you the grace and mercy necessary for your breakthrough. As a business owner, there is no permanent enemy. Very early in our business, some people did us wrong either by action or word. To me naturally, I do not feel comfortable relating with them.

I can’t stand to be injured. But my husband will still find a way to reconcile even when he is at the receiving end. There are times I was angry with him for making up with such people. He knew when am angry, and he would not say anything concerning the issue or the person but later he will bring up the matter; he would take time to explain why we must not hold anything against anybody. He would say in business, there is no permanent enemy; you disagree to agree.

Business is a journey; you are bound to come across different signs which you must pass through. Disappointments, manipulations, intimidations, people harass you to see how solid or committed you are to your goal. As an entrepreneur, you have to take all in your stride and move on – he would advice. Learn to appreciate your wife, children and relations who come around to encourage you. Appreciate your team for what they do right and never carry the rod for long for their mistakes.

Make your staff feel important for their contribution. That housemaid in your house needs your appreciation for his/her contribution. Get rid of little foxes that could destroy your harvest. The habit of use and dump will hurt you more. Be grateful for every gesture and you will enjoy more positive assistance. There shall never be a time when you will be stranded or short of quality assistance. It has been working for us, I believe it will work for you also. You are a winner.

Yet another lesson:

Live At Peace With Everyone – Romans 12:18

There are people who constantly hurt those who are around them. They are in the habit of speaking harshly to everyone around them including their spouse. They criticize others to confusion, low self esteem and fear. Naturally, they are initiative killers.

In such an environment, it is difficult to be yourself. The fact that our environment moulds our character, who we are, and the altitude we attain in life, will help to make you always create an enabling environment for good things to spring forth in your family. God used a housemaid to bring about Naman’s delivery from leprosy – 2 Kings 5 vs 1-15.

For husband or wife who is too hot to live with, they depreciate in value.

Why? Because most of the time the thought they generate from their mind is to criticize; they see nothing good in others. They are too full of themselves to dishonor. Since a fountain cannot bring out both positive and negative, it must be one. As you speak harsh words to hurt people, you are also hurting your spirit. To think creatively becomes an impossible task.

And because they are not living peacefully with others, others do not send good thoughts to them. With time, diminishing return sets in. Only people who love peace, and give peace will be able to discover the area of need in the life of people. Entrepreneurship is about discovering a need and filling it; if the process is satisfactory, money starts flowing into your life. Your desired financial breakthrough will come when you tame your tongue and control the thoughts of your heart.

Let both old and young feel peace in your abode then, God will see you as a good custodian of His wealth – to which He will not add sorrow.