By RAY ADLER
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An interesting recent lunch topic concerned some of the old-time statements made by my father. He once said, “To get a corn crop, you have to plant corn.”
He went on to explain how everything produces according to its own kind. If you want soybeans, you have to plant soybeans. As he expanded, he mentioned that to have a friend, you needed to be a friend, and to make money, you often have to spend money.
Ancient Jewish wisdom had a similar instruction. “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” What is the “it” in the ancient wisdom? The “it” refers to what you gave. Give friendship to receive friendship. Give money and you will receive money or, as it was explained by my father, “It takes money to make money.”
This idea, as simple as it is, has proven invaluable through my own life. But it has also been demonstrably true in the corporate world.
Take Walmart for example. Walmart’s mission statement, which is displayed at its Bentonville, Ark., headquarters is to “save people money so they can live better.” Walmart’s slogan famously stated, “Always Low Prices. Always.” Thus, Walmart “gave” by way of providing more products to more people at a lesser cost. In return, Walmart reaped a tremendous reward and has become one of the most successful corporations in the United States. Recently, Amazon has taken up this philosophy and provides low-cost home delivery for nearly any product imaginable. In return, Amazon has become one of, if not, the most successful corporations in the world.
Not that we should act out of charity merely with self-interested motivations, but the words in the Book carry practical truth as well metaphysical truth about our world. That is why it is better to give than to receive. If you receive one kernel of corn, you only have one kernel of corn. But, if you give one kernel of corn to the soil, you get a whole ear of corn in return.
It is better to give than receive because those who give often have it to give … whereas those who receive, many times, do not.
Educational material and not legal advice, written by the team at Adler attorneys. Email andrea@noblesvilleattorney.com with questions or comments.