“Serving” – The 4th Key to Prosper
Hello dear readers! Linda and I hope you had a great Valentine’s Day! Whether you had a romantic dinner with a loved one or not…please know that you are God’s beloved!
The fourth key to prospering is “ Serving.” It may come as a bit of a surprise, but caring for others may be one of the most enriching aspects of life. Whether you want to prosper in relationships, evangelism, the office, or in sales… the crucial ingredient to success is helping others by going beyond the expected.
In Matthew 5:41, Jesus says, “ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” While we don’t help others from being forced, we instead do so from a giving heart that demonstrates our exceptional care for others. One person who demonstrates this and who deeply impacted our lives is Vinnie Ribas, who we got to know while living in Nashville.
Vinnie was a joyful, exuberant “walking Rolodex” and when he met with someone, he always would ask, “So, how can I help you?” And you knew he meant it. If he couldn’t instantly make an introduction, he would get back with you the same day with the ideal contact. Whether in business or friendship, he was always there first to help you with your needs.
Bob Burg, in his book The Go-Giver, clearly explains how to truly prosper when he wrote, “Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other’s interests first.” Let’s be real here–people know that we all have a purpose when we reach out to connect with them. But nothing is more convincing of our sincere desire to help than showing we are first there to serve them.
So, the next time you are witnessing to someone, are in a conflict at home or at the office, or are meeting with a potential new client, step aside from your agenda and simply try to see how you can help the person with whom you are interacting– regardless of whether it advances your goals or not. You might find the outcome a truly pleasant surprise!
Next week, join us for the 5th key to prosper. This is a very practical step that really works!!
