Do You Know Your Numbers?
Costa Rica 2023
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds;
for riches do not last forever, nor a crown from generation to generation.”
- Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 27: 23-24
Stewardship isn’t just a business practice. It’s a spiritual responsibility.
In the world of entrepreneurship, one phrase echoes often: “If you don’t know your numbers, you don’t know your business.” At first glance, it sounds like a financial slogan. But it’s more than that. It’s a call to awareness. A reminder that behind every transaction is a decision—and behind every decision is either wisdom or guesswork.
As more people answer the call to build purpose-driven businesses, many are discovering something unexpected: a vision, no matter how passionate, can’t flourish without structure. And at the heart of that structure is financial clarity.
What does it mean to “know your numbers”?
It means understanding three core metrics:
Revenue — What’s coming in.
Expenses — What’s going out.
Gross Profit Margin — What remains in between.
Beyond these basics, mastery includes knowing your cash flow, your net income, and the cost of acquiring and retaining customers. These aren’t just numbers. They’re signals. They tell the truth about your business… if you’re willing to listen.
Why does it matter?
Because without this clarity, decisions become reactive.
You may price too low, overspend unknowingly, or grow in the wrong direction.
You may even find yourself pouring time, energy, and love into something that isn’t sustainable, simply because you haven’t paused to measure.
This isn’t about becoming a financial expert. It’s about becoming a wise steward.
And stewardship begins with attention.
Where do you begin?
If you’re not yet tracking your numbers, start small.
Use Excel, a notebook, or a simple app to log your income and expenses.
If you can, hire or consult with a bookkeeper, even on a part-time basis.
If resources are tight, ask your community. There may be help closer than you think.
The point isn’t perfection. It’s presence. It’s ownership.
Financial stewardship is how you honor what you’ve been given—and how you prepare for what’s coming.
Reflection: What would it look like for you to truly know your numbers. Not from fear, but from faithfulness?
Shalom, everyone!
