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Day One: Giving Is Contagious

Welcome to Brad Formsma’s Wow Factor® Leadership Devotional, where conversations with today's extraordinary business leaders bring you Words of Wisdom to help you grow in business and beyond. Read this short devotional, or listen to Brad read it on audio by tapping here.

What’s one of the most important lessons you learned from your parents? 

Almost all of us can point to something a parent taught us that changed our lives. Sometimes such lessons are verbal, but more often than not they are wordless. When we watch our parents act a certain way—day after day, week after week, year after year—lessons can’t help but take root in our hearts.

What fascinates me about this is that parents often don’t do this consciously. In fact, some of the best, most life-changing lessons happen when we see someone simply living an organic, vibrant faith daily.

A generous friend recently came on my podcast and shared a story about this. David Green, CEO of Hobby Lobby, grew up with little. Every day he watched his mother spend time in God’s word, reading and praying her way through life. She was a pastor’s wife, and she—along with many in the small, humble congregation—didn’t have much surplus money. They always tithed, but it was often from their gardens, giving vegetables to the work of the Lord. And David remembers seeing something life-changing on his mother’s face whenever she gave: joy. She loved following God’s word and giving back. Even when it might have seemed wise to conserve resources, and start tithing again when times weren’t as tough, she kept right on giving.

The beautiful thing—and I’ll admit I’m just guessing here, though I suspect my guess is right—is that David’s mother wouldn’t have done anything differently if she’d known her son would grow up to become the CEO of a billion-dollar nationwide chain. Her principles were right and faithful. They honored God. 

That meant they took root in her son David’s heart. To this day, he is one of the most generous and joyful people I know. His mother would rejoice to see how her son is now teaching others about those same faithful principles.  

The joy of giving is contagious. As leaders, that is a powerful truth to remember—and a powerful example to pass on.

To Consider

What is the most important lesson your parent(s) taught you?

What is the example of your life and leadership teaching others?

To Pray

God, make me mindful of the impact of my choices and the legacy I’m creating. Help me lead others to You. Amen.