“You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”  Zig Ziglar

If nobody was listening, how do you really feel about giving?

If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving–large or small–it will be used to measure what is given back to you.  (Luke 6:38; NLT)

Sharon and I just finished reading together an incredible book that we heartily encourage you to read.  The book is The Go-Giver: A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann.  When I say we read “together,” Sharon actually read a chapter or two out loud before we went to sleep each night until the book was done.  It’s a very short book…only 14 chapters over 127 pages of fairly large print.  A person could probably read it in a couple of hours max.  But don’t let the size deceive you — it is one of the most significant books we’ve ever read.

We’re not alone in thinking that way.  Here’s just a couple of the endorsements about the book:
“The Go-Giver hits a bull’s-eye on the subject of success in business and life.  Burg and Mann clearly understand how helping others succeed will help you succeed.  I highly recommend this book.”  Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of Business Networking International and bestselling author
“The greatest leader is a servant leader.  The Go-Giver tells a great story about how to serve your way to success.”  John Addison, co-CEO, Primerica Financial Services
“This terrific book wonderfully illuminates [the] principles of contribution, abundance, service, and success.”  Stephen M. R. Covey, bestselling author
“The Go-Giver is the best business parable since The Greatest Salesman in the World and The One Minute Manager.”  Pat Williams, senior vice president, Orlando Magic

As you can undoubtedly tell by the title and some of the endorsements, the book is about the value of giving.  It is told in the form of a parable which makes it a very compelling read, and through the course of the story unfolds five amazing “Laws of Stratospheric Success” as follows:
The Law of Value — Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
The Law of Compensation — Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
The Law of Influence — Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interest first.
The Law of Authenticity — The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.
The Law of Receptivity — The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

This book has just been published, and is already creating quite a “buzz.”  If you haven’t already heard of it, I can promise you that you will over the next couple of months.  I encourage you to get ahead of the game and read it so you can be an eager and knowledgeable  participant in those conversations.  As Cameron Johnson, author of You Call the Shots predicts, “It will flip your thoughts on business and life upside down and provide massive value for you throughout your career.”

Prayer Power
Lord, grant us the grace to better understand and live by the law of giving that you so clearly weave throughout the Scriptures.  In this “go-getter” culture that we live in, may this book be used to reach many who may never have been exposed to the clarity of Your teaching on this fundamental issue.

Link of the Day
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea

Blessings on you as you give an unexpected gift to someone today.