“Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest.” [Leviticus 19.9, NASB version]
Over the years MindMeld has been fortunate to consult and collaborate with a number of very successful business people and organizations. And inevitably, the question arises, “what is the right thing to do with all of this money we are making?”
Of course, the answer is dependent on how your organization is structured [public or private], business lifecycle, reinvestment dictates, and other attributes of your present situation. Yet there is a tried and true principle that embodies the tenets of what is known today as Conscious Capitalism that will bless you and your business in unimaginable ways — Gleanings.
If you are a dyed in the wool, Gordon Gecko “greed is good” capitalist, the idea of leaving portions of the harvest for those less fortunate is antithetical to the foundational principles of capitalism. After all, Uncle Milty [Milton Friedman] taught us that “there is one and only one social responsibility of business — to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition, without deception or fraud.” [see Capitalism and Freedom, page 133 ff.]
Friedman goes on to explain his doctrine in lucid and logical terms. And the purpose here is not to argue against the virtues espoused by this great American thinker. Rather, let us bring into consideration a higher law that more clearly defines the rules of the game.
The best example of the principle of Gleanings is found in the book of Ruth. Destitute in an alien land, Ruth, the daughter-in-law of the widow Naomi, finds sustenance for her and her mother-in-law by gleaning in the field behind the reapers. As providence would have it, the field is owned by a kinsman of Naomi, Boaz, who upon learning of Ruth’s identity and witnessing how hard she is willing to work, orders the reapers to leave behind even greater rewards.
How does this relate to your business? Simple. Rather than harvest all of the profits of your business, share some with your employees who made it all possible. And do so generously. Moreover, look for ways to engage those in the community who are struggling to make ends meet in a similar fashion. Not by doling out charity. But by finding ways to allow them to share in the bounty through their own sweat equity.
If you are like most business people, the concept of Gleanings and how it could possibly benefit your organization is difficult to grasp let alone fit into a capitalist worldview. If that is the case, but you want to know more, please do not hesitate to contact me. I can demonstrate how committing to a higher purpose than profit will enrich your life and the life of your business in equal measure.
MindMeld provides expert counsel relative to marketing, business processes, organizational development, and strategy. To learn more contact Doug Knuth at doug.knuth@mindmeldmarketing.com.