Choosing the right advisers

Apostle Steve Lyston, Contributor

The role of an adviser in any capacity - whether for nation or business - is very critical to the success of those being advised. An adviser is like a mentor who, based on their advice, can allow those they counsel to be promoted, demoted or defeated!

I have seen many administrations, both business and political, fall because of the effect of bad advising. Choosing an adviser should not be based mainly or solely on the person's level of education, friendship, social club connections or colour. In fact, an adviser should not even be your best friend!

For example, informal commercial importers, many of whom were not academically qualified, could advise Government on certain financial and economic issues - that can bring prosperity to the country - better than many of the professional advisers of the day. Most of them have proven to be quite successful in generating employment for many others.

In I Kings 12, Solomon's son, Rehoboam, refused the advice of the elders of his father's administration - men of integrity from that former administration. They advised him to lower taxes and lighten the people's burdens. He instead accepted the advice of those with whom he grew up, who told him to ignore the cries of the people and double taxes instead, and that led to a national revolt.

Good advice

Nabal refused to take the good advice of his wife Abigail concerning how to deal with the man of God - David - and the proposal he offered him. Nabal refused and suffered death; and his wife ultimately became a queen as David's wife.

In Luke 5, Jesus showed the fishing entrepreneurs how to achieve success within a bad economic climate through obedience and giving, which subsequently yielded great and tremendous success. It also made investors and business partners very happy.

Everyone needs good advisers for their success. Proverbs 11: 14 says, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."

Visions, goals, objectives (manifestos) and success cannot be achieved without good counsel. Hence, the divestment of certain strategic assets in the nation - the airport, national airline, wharf, sugar, electric company and certain prime lands - by past and present administrations were not sound advice. In fact, those decisions have brought, and continue to bring, hardships on the country; continue to negatively affect foreign exchange; and, ultimately, increase national debt.

So, in the words of our National Anthem:

Eternal Father, Bless our land;

Guide us with Thy mighty hand.

Keep us free from evil powers;

Be our Light through countless hours.

To our leaders, Great Defender,

Grant true wisdom from above.

Justice, truth be ours forever,

Jamaica, land we love.

These words are a reminder that our nation cannot succeed without Godly wisdom, and advisers who seek His wisdom for the nation's success.

Apostle Steve Lyston is a biblical economics consultant and Author of several books, including End Time Finance and The New Millionaire

The qualifications of an adviser

I Chronicles 12: 32 and Esther 1: 13 show us that an adviser must possess that special gift - the anointing of Issachar - and must understand the differences in times and seasons and what that nation, institution or administration must do during that time or season in order to achieve success, including:

When to implement strategic plans

What should take priority

The 28 times and seasons in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Revelation 6:5-6. These include the cosmic disturbances that occur, such as global warming, economic and security issues that will require actions such as food storage, water protection and implementation of laws. This so that administrations and organisations would not be caught off-guard.

An adviser should not only be academically inclined, but must also have a deep connection with God and a full understanding and appreciation of the above.

An adviser must constantly seek the Lord on each and every matter that may arise. Nathan, prophet to King David, erred when he quickly agreed with the king's suggestion without seeking the Lord. He later realised, after seeking the Lord, that the king's suggestion was not the will of God.