In the bustling city of Cedarville, ambitious friends Emily and Sarah had dreams of starting businesses. Emily started by diligently planning and seeking wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to succeed in this line of trade. Meanwhile, impulsive Sarah disregarded the importance of having a solid foundation before launching out, she started right away. After a few months of being in business, Emily’s business flourished as she served her customers well, while Sarah’s venture struggled without direction. Later, they met at an event, and both shared their journeys in the business world so far. Humble and inspired, Sarah learned from the principles applied by Emily, and she rebuilt her business. Over time, her focus paid off, attracting loyal customers. Emily’s trade secret was from the Bible!

Emily applied the lessons from Proverbs 24:3-4 which says, “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” I will be sharing some of these powerful lessons in 3 articles, this and 2 more so stay tuned. This scripture reveals the significance of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in building a house that can symbolize your life – business, marriage, finances, etc. Emily applied these principles to her business, but the lessons are transferrable to other aspects of life. In this piece, my focus will be on wisdom the essential ingredient to build anything.

Wisdom is the insightful application of knowledge and understanding to make decisions and live a purposeful and fulfilling life. It is not merely knowledge but the ability to apply it in practical ways. It brings clarity, guides our actions, and helps us find meaning and fulfillment in all aspects of our existence, ultimately leading us closer to God’s divine plan for us. Here are a few points to consider before building any venture, I hope you find them valuable.

• Begin with reflection and planning, counting the cost of the project you want to embark on. In Luke 14:28, Jesus said, “Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?” Taking time to reflect and plan helps you assess the challenges, potential risks, and necessary steps to achieve your goals. It ensures that you approach your endeavors with careful consideration and foresight.
• Unite with others, seeking mentorship, and collaboration to foster growth and understanding (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Engaging with like-minded individuals who share similar aspirations provides opportunities for learning, sharing insights, and receiving encouragement. Collaboration and mentorship contribute to your growth and wisdom.
• Invest in a solid foundation by crafting a clear vision, mission statement, and values. Establishing a clear vision and values serves as a guiding framework for our pursuits. A strong foundation rooted in purpose and principles helps us make decisions aligned with our ultimate goals and fosters wisdom in our actions.
• Listen attentively and comply with guidance from trusted sources and divine wisdom. Haggai 1:8 shows that there are instructions to follow to build something. Following instructions and guidance from trusted sources, whether divine or from experienced mentors, ensures that we build in alignment with proven wisdom. Adhering to such guidance guards against shortcuts or compromises that may hinder our progress.
• Depend on God, recognizing His role as the ultimate source of wisdom and seeking His guidance in all we do. According to Psalm 127:1, God is the chief builder because “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Acknowledging our reliance on God as the ultimate source of wisdom and success allows us to approach our endeavors with humility and trust. Seeking His guidance, surrendering our plans to His will, and relying on His strength bring forth true wisdom and enable us to build with lasting impact.

This last point is crucial because wisdom is a gift from God. Proverbs 2:6 shows this “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding”. According to James 1:5, obtaining wisdom involves a simple yet powerful act: asking God. To acquire wisdom, we must approach God with a humble heart, acknowledging our need for His guidance and understanding. Thus, the path to wisdom begins with a sincere plea to God, trusting that He will provide the wisdom you need to make discerning choices aligned with His will to build your life, business, finance, marriage, etc.

I have made these points easy to remember by making sure their first letters form “BUILD” with the hope that it serves as a helpful reminder to incorporate these wisdom principles into your endeavors and decision-making process. Let us “BUILD” our lives, relationships, and decision-making processes on the solid foundation of wisdom.