At First Glance, One Naturally Thinks Money…but it’s So Much More
I started writing about my core values as a life filter back in January of 2017. Core values are an important part of intentionally living our best lives, the lives that God has designed for each of us.
In that first post I said I would break down my core values in future posts. Well, here we are…almost five years later and I still have two left. Today we shorten the list to one. The core value for today is…
Make all I can, save all I can, give all I can.
This is a variation of the words of the 18th-century theologian and founder of Methodism, John Wesley. Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can. As one of my core values I wanted the focus on me and my business.
Growing up in the Methodist church these words were a part of my life from a young age. As it is with most things we hear when we’re young, it’s not until later in life that we grasp and appreciate the full meaning. As we mature, we begin to realize the importance of taking the blinders off and seeing the bigger picture.
Too often money and business get a bad rap. I believe that most businesses are not working to take advantage of people. Nor do I think that money is evil. It the lust after money that’s evil. Sure, there are cases where people and businesses are being selfish, but I don’t believe that to be the norm.
Make all you can, Save all you can, Give all you can
These are great words to live by and they also serve as a great business motto.
Make all you can –
Making all you can is about more than just money. Making is the process of making or producing something. It’s the qualities needed to make something. Making sounds a lot like building…making buildings, making businesses, making lives. Money is needed to make things, but it isn’t the only thing needed.
From a business perspective, if you don’t make money you won’t stay in business.
This is one of the reasons it’s one my core values…I tend to put making money lower on my list of my priorities. I use this core value to remind me not to do that.
Save all you can –
Like making…saving is not just about piling up money. Saving is reserving and not wasting. It is about spending time wisely. It’s about being thrifty and frugal.
I see figuring out ways to save as a challenging puzzle and I’m constantly looking for ways to solve it.
We should always expect the unexpected. Saving allows us to be better prepared for the unexpected.
Give all you can –
Giving is something that is often connected to money. Around the Holidays we are bombarded with opportunities to give. Once again giving is about so much more than just money.
One of the best ways to give is to share our skills and abilities.
Whether that is at our church, community organizations, or through our vocation. Sharing our gifts through work is honoring to God even if it’s something we get paid for. Last week we discussed the importance of service over sales. Service is about giving.
Finding the balance and not getting too focused on one thing or the other is important to operating a successful business and living a fulfilling life.
That’s why Make all I can, Save all I can, Give all I can, is one of my favorite core values.
Previous core valuer posts –
Using core values as a life filter
Take the blinders off an be more observant
Spend time wisely, there is a limited amount
Never be satisfied with mediocrity
Find and maintain the balance in everything
Build the wall one brick at a time (previously, move the mountain one shovel at a time)