“Pastor, my business partner is always afraid to take giant steps. What do I do?”

Oh wow! While I’m tempted to give you a straight motivational talk, there’s really no straight answer to this situation.

For instance, if your business partner is a financial partner, then you may have to endure with the small steps till you’ve gathered enough to finance big opportunities on your own. In business, he who has the financial power often call the shots.

In Ecclesiastes 9, King Solomon shared a disturbing story about a wise man who was despised because he was poor. Let’s see how scripture puts it:

Ecclesiastes 9:
14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

Did you see that? Your partner would probably not be afraid if you were going to sponsor the idea with your own money. As a matter of fact, he’d be motivated to contribute once he sees your financial commitment to the idea.

I know you’ve probably prayed that God should touch his heart. Well, if you didn’t get an answer, then it’s probably because God isn’t going to force anybody to invest in something they are not sure of. That would make Him a controller, not a God. So, until your financial partner is convinced about the giant steps, keep taking the small steps. But ensure you don’t quit the relationship, especially if you don’t have another stream of income.

On another thought, if he’s not a financial partner, then find out the reason for his fears. Most likely, it would be because of the bigger brands you’d have to compete with when you establish that idea. The fear of competition has discouraged and driven many potential business owners back into their shells.

So, if it’s a case of discouragement, do your best to encourage him, especially in the Lord. I often tell people that when you eventually start a business venture or you decide to advance your career, and you see competitors who have gone far ahead of you, you see people who seem to be more intelligent, people who have gained the favour of almost everybody, you may even see companies that have all the facilities that you are still dreaming to have, do not be afraid nor discouraged, because God will be with you.

The Bible says something similar concerning the children of Israel in Deut 20:1; it says, “when you go out to battle against the enemy, and you see horses, and chariots, and a people more than you, do not be afraid of them: for God is with you”. Courage is the battle axe of God; without it, God cannot fight for you. Many ideas never see the light of day because of the absence of courage. A man with courage will rarely experience shortage of blessing.

David understood this principle when he confronted Goliath. Goliath came with a sword and a shield, but David came with courage. No ordinary weapon could penetrate Goliath, but courage took out his neck. Courage can penetrate the market, and make your products and services lead in the market. Courage is a threat to your competitors; if you refuse to be discouraged, you would surely win the competition.

However, if your partner still feels that fear after you’ve tried to encourage him, then you may need to consider pulling out of that partnership, especially if it’s something he does too often. Deuteronomy 20:8 says, “And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart”. That’s right, faint-hearted people will pose a threat in the war-front. So it’s wisdom to keep them away.

As I conclude, don’t ever carry out a project with a partner who is afraid or discouraged. Two partners can never be productive except they agree. It’s too much of a risk to work with someone who doesn’t agree with your ideas. He won’t hesitate to push the blame on you if anything backfires.

I hope this has brought enlightenment to someone.

Remain ever blessed, in Jesus precious name!

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