Thou Shall Prosper

Like most people, I did not grow up a rich kid. I recall getting an allowance when I was young, but only if I performed specific chores around the house. I also remember being incentivized by my parents for making better than good grades and having to work for things I wanted. Thomas Edison said, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overaIls and looks Iike work.” Dave Ramsey is quoted as saying, “More and more, it seems, like people want wealth but they don’t want to work for it. They need a shot in the arm, a call back to the virtue, ethics, morality, and importance of business.”

One of the best books of all time I have read on this subject is Thou Shall Prosper by Daniel Lapin. Whether you are a part time coffee clerk or a big time corporate CEO, Lapin shows you a whole new mind-set about work and about money. According to Dave Ramsey, most people never realize the two are connected.

In the Forward of the book, Dave Ramsey writes “Beyond the work money connection, Lapin’s overall thesis is fascinating. Some people may not be comfortable with it, but I think history shows it to be true: Jewish people are usually gifted at making and managing money. It is not a racial thing; it’s a cultural thing. There is something in the cultural mindset and national experience of the Jewish people that we need to recognize if we want to win with money.”

Money is really about people and relationships which Lapin describes as a Spiritual Reality. Money is the buzz; the connection that makes our interpersonal networks rich and fulfilling. In a sense, money connects two dreamers. Think about that. I personally love to travel and it doesn’t bother me a bit to spend money doing that particular thing.

The Ten Commandments outlined in Daniel Lapin’s book are for everybody. You do not have to be Jewish. You don’t have to be rich. You don’t have to own a business or aspire to become the next Jeff Bezos. They are simple practical principles for life and business. They have to do with how you view money, how you treat people, and how you represent yourself in the marketplace.

I think life is about adding value. Maybe that is why I like this book so much and decided to include references to it in this season’s Inhouse. It, too, is not about becoming rich, it is about adding value – to yourself, your family, and the world around you.

When you contribute to the well being of other people through honorable business and wise stewardship, you win. And it’s not just your victory, it impacts everyone around you. You can actually create wealth in your community, and when you do, everyone benefits. Consider picking up a copy of Daniel Lapin’s Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money. A special thanks to Dave Ramsey for the extra wisdom in the book as well.

Go Serve Big!

Sarah Reynolds Oji | Team Leader | The Reynolds Team