Investing in Your Growth Before Expecting a Return
“Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction, and insight as well.”
— Proverbs 23:23 (NIV)
Have you ever tried to buy something you really needed, only to discover it cost more than you expected? Maybe it was a gadget, a service, or even a gym membership. You paused, considered, calculated—and then walked away with the thought: “Maybe later.”
The pursuit of wisdom and skill is no different. It’s valuable. It’s essential. And yes—it’s costly.
That verse from Proverbs might sound strange in our modern ears. “Buy the truth?” Isn’t truth supposed to be free? Aren’t we supposed to just learn on the job or pick up experience along the way?
Not quite.
Here’s what the Bible is getting at: anything truly worthwhile will cost you something. Wisdom, instruction, and insight don’t fall out of the sky. You buy them—with your time, attention, effort, and sometimes, your money. And once you have them, you don’t sell them off cheaply. You protect them. You steward them.
Because truth, once bought and lived, changes your life.
The First Lesson Biola Learned… the Hard Way
Do you remember the story of Biola that we shared in an earlier article? He got another interview at a prestigious consulting firm. The role seemed perfect. He had all the enthusiasm in the world—and none of the technical skill. When the interviewer asked him if he was proficient in Excel, he said confidently, “Absolutely!”
What he meant was: “I’ve used Excel once or twice in school.” What the interviewer meant was: Can you build dashboards, write formulas, and automate reports?
The interviewer could tell the difference. Biola couldn’t.
Needless to say, he didn’t get the job. But more importantly, he learned something sobering: passion doesn’t replace preparation. At some point, everyone will need to pay the price to become competent. The question is simply—when?
Training always costs something. The real question is: who will pay? You or your employer? Learn how to invest in your own growth wisely. Share on XTraining Always Costs Something
Let’s face it: someone always pays for your training.
Sometimes, it’s the employer. They onboard you, mentor you, and absorb the cost of your learning curve. But don’t be fooled—this is not charity. They’re making a calculated investment. They expect loyalty, productivity, and a return on what they pour into you.
Other times, the cost falls on you. You pay with your own money—buying courses, software, books. Or you pay with your time—spending late nights learning skills, practicing, volunteering, or shadowing someone more experienced.
And more often than not, it’s a mix. You might pay with time and effort upfront, then gain opportunities that cover your financial costs later.
But one way or another—you will pay.
There’s no shortcut. No cheat code. Just the slow, sacred process of becoming valuable by investing in personal growth.
Job Seekers and the Myth of “Free Opportunity”
This is where many young professionals get stuck. They want a job. They need an income. But they haven’t invested in themselves.
They apply to dozens of roles with the same bland CV. They wait for someone to take a chance on them, hoping their potential will outweigh their lack of preparation. And when nothing happens, they grow bitter.
I say this with love: potential is not a strategy.
It’s not enough to ask, “Who will hire me?”
You need to ask, “How can I become the kind of person they can’t afford not to hire?”
Let’s be honest with ourselves. If you had to hire someone today—would you choose a charming, energetic candidate who needs months of training, or someone who can start adding value tomorrow?
Employers make that decision every day. And most choose the latter.
That doesn’t make them heartless. It just makes them practical.
The onus, then, is on you and me to tip the scale. To invest in our own development so we can enter rooms with proof, not just promise.
You can pray for opportunities, but are you preparing for them? Discover how faith, wisdom, and investing in yourself go hand in hand. Share on XThe Economics of Growth: Time vs. Money
Let’s break down the cost of training into its two major currencies: time and money.
Some of us have more time than money. Others have more money than time. Either way, growth will demand one—or both.
- Can’t afford a paid course? Spend time consuming free material online, practicing skills, building your own projects.
- Working a demanding job? Save and invest in training that compresses your learning curve.
When I couldn’t afford formal training early in my journey, I offered to work for free for people who were ahead of me. I watched, listened, asked questions, and kept showing up. I paid with my service. Eventually, I was being paid for my skill.
In the words of Paul:
“I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Grace empowers you, yes. But you still have to work.
The Spiritual Principle of Sowing and Reaping
Growth is more than just a career goal—it’s deeply spiritual principle. The Bible is full of agricultural metaphors that reveal how God works with us.
God won’t waste your effort even if the results aren’t instant. Learn how to sow wisely and trust the process of growth. Share on X“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
— Galatians 6:7
If you sow laziness, apathy, or passivity, you’ll reap disappointment.
If you sow discipline, intentionality, and humility—you’ll reap opportunity.
Think about Jesus’ parable of the talents (Matthew 25). The servant who buried his talent and expected praise was rebuked. Why? Because he refused to invest. He wasted what little he had because of fear.
God is not asking you to multiply what you don’t have. He’s asking you to be faithful with what you do.
But I’m Tired. I’ve Tried Before.
Let me pause here and speak to the weary.
Maybe you’ve already invested. You’ve taken courses, read books, volunteered—and yet, doors still aren’t opening.
Please hear me: your labor is not in vain.
Every hour you’ve spent learning…
Every skill you’ve built in silence…
Every project you’ve worked on with no applause…
God saw it. And He’s not wasteful.
Sometimes the harvest is delayed not because of failure, but because of preparation. He’s building roots before revealing fruits. And in due time—you will reap.
So don’t give up.
How to Create a Personal Development Budget
It’s time to get practical.
Just like you set aside money for food, rent, or transportation—you need to set aside resources for growth. Here’s how:
1. Determine Your Learning Goals
What do you need to learn to become more valuable? Is it a technical skill, a certification, a mindset shift? Write it down.
2. Estimate the Cost
Do some research. Find the courses, tools, or mentorship opportunities that align with your goals. Note the cost in money and time.
3. Allocate a Monthly Budget
Even if it’s small—₦5,000, ₦10,000, or ₦20,000—commit to investing something every month into your development. That’s your seed.
4. Track Your Progress
Keep a simple journal or spreadsheet of what you’re learning, how you’re applying it, and what results you’re getting.
5. Review and Adjust
Not every investment pays off immediately. Some resources will be gold; others won’t. That’s okay. Learn. Adapt. Keep sowing.
“Buy the truth and do not sell it.” Discover what it means to value wisdom enough to pay the price for it—and reap the rewards for life. Share on XWho’s Responsible for Your Growth?
There’s something liberating about taking responsibility for your growth.
You stop waiting for perfect conditions. You stop blaming employers, the government, or the economy. You stop asking, “Who will pick me?” and start becoming someone worth picking.
Jesus was a carpenter’s son. He didn’t start public ministry until age 30. For years, He was learning, growing, and preparing.
Luke 2:52 tells us:
“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
If the Son of God needed a growth process, how much more do we?
The invitation is open—not to perfection, but to participation. To say, “Yes, Lord. I’ll buy the truth. I’ll invest in wisdom. I’ll grow into who You’ve called me to be.”
So here’s your challenge:
- Stop waiting.
- Start investing.
- Build your personal development budget.
- Sow with faith.
- Grow with God.
And when the opportunity comes—as it surely will—you’ll be ready.