Every year I ask God to give me one word. Well he gave me these two words “add” and “value” this year. So I immediately went to the dictionary, the Bible, and prayer to understand what He is asking of me in regards of these words.
Per the dictionary Add means to join or unite so as to bring about an increase or improvement and Value means relative worth, utility, or importance
The words combine as Value-added means relating to, or being a product whose value has been increased especially by special manufacturing, marketing, or processing.
Add value - to make a product or service more valuable; an improvement or addition to something that makes it work more.
God led me to these scriptures
Mark 10:42-45.
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
The scripture is clear - By serving we add value to others!
God ask us to become a person who is intentional about adding value to the people around you. Let that soak in for a moment. Our culture, society, movies, television and social media in general would portray a true leader directly opposite. Yet Jesus tells us to let go of the ego, to humble ourselves, and SERVE.
I am a child of God and I add value to OTHERS through my service!
How does one add value?
Adding value can be verbal and non-verbal! It can be as simple as a smile, a nod of the head, or a quick hug---to as complicated as an empathetic conversation with someone about their current situation or even helping someone find their place or role in this life. Adding value can be an attitude or a good deed. But mostly importantly Adding Value has to be intentional!
God appointed leaders are called to add value to others. It’s all about leaving others better than you first met them. It’s about enriching and enhancing the quality of life for others. We are here to be of service to others. God has called us to serve others. It’s not about how others can serve you but how you can serve someone else.
In John 13, Jesus illustrated adding value when he intentionally washed the disciples' feet. Go beyond your thoughts; turn them into your behavior!
How does one intentionally add value to others?
Per John C. Maxwell’s (Leadership Expert) book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership- The Law of Addition gives 6 ways to add value to people:
1. You have to value people.
2. You have to value yourself.
3. You have to know and relate to what people value. (Be a listener, then a learner, then a leader.)
4. You have to do the things that God values.
5. Make yourself more VALUABLE to others
6. Do the things that God VALUES
To increase people’s value, they must grow. To help others grow I must gain respect of those I aim to influence. Respect is the key that opens a relationship! In a relationship I have to LISTEN and really LISTEN. Then I can LEARN…LEARN what is important to them. I can learn where they are, so I can help them through the process of transformation. My goal is to lead them to the only one who can truly transform and give value to their lives…God!
To add value I must value myself, so every day I will say this verse out loud daily until I truly value myself:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)Believe it or not, you are very valuable. It’s time for you to start knowing my worth.
I was created by God and in the image and likeness of God. I have value. I am a valuable person.
Also, I will ask myself the following questions daily:
What are some ways that I can add value to others?
Am I adding value to others and to myself?
What did I do today to show value to people, my family, my spouse, my children, my neighbors, my clients?
Humans don’t show value naturally; therefore, if I cannot remember doing something, then guess what, I unintentionally did NOT show value that day. Showing value to someone everyday must be in my heart and running through my veins. A great leader must be a great servant per Mark 10:45!
When I add value, I will automatically be respected by others which will lay the foundation for a relationship. A relationship births commitment.
We have to love all people, not just the people that agree with us; but all just like Jesus did! When we add value to people, they will be drawn to me and will grow.
If we want to add value to others we must first value ourself and value others. If you don’t value people you can’t add value to them. If you do not value yourself, others can’t value you. Do you truly care about others and view them as important?
Leaders recognize the true value in people. Second, I need to make myself more valuable to others. I must be a person of value if I expect to add value to a person. What do you have to give others? God has given you something to give so use it to help others.
God has given me the knowledge, skills, and experiences to add value through homeownership! I must and will be intentional to add value to all I encounter!
As a real estate advisor I must first listen, learn and then lead my clients to homeownership. The 3Ls allow me to know and relate to what my clients value.
Last, but most importantly I need to value what God values. Do I value the things that God Himself values? I desire to possess God’s heart. God wants us to respect one another, be compassionate, bear each other’s burdens and be a blessing to one another. We are to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our world today. His light is to shine in all that we do. We must encourage one another and build one another up.
“Do not try to become a person of success but try to become a person of value.” - Albert Einstein
Be a person that adds VALUE to others! At your job be the MVP: Most VALUABLE Player. The most valuable person is the one who adds value to the team and organization (making a positive difference). I seen a quote by Albert Pike yesterday that said “What we have done for ourselves alone, dies with us; what we have done for others and the world, remains and is immortal.” This is called LEGACY. What we do for others in Jesus’ name is what last and what counts. We add value to others by serving others. God has called ME to serve!
Think of some ways that you can add value to someone today and go do it!
But when you do it make sure your motives are right! Let’s be like Jesus and let’s start Adding Value To Others.