That of giving more in use value than you receive in cash value.
The concept is simple...
Very simple...
In his classic masterpiece, "The Science of Getting Rich", Wallace D. Wattles put it this way:
"Give every man more in use value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction."
In spite of its simplicity, over the last several years I've discovered there are three big misconceptions concerning it, any one of which could be standing directly between you and the financial success you're seeking.
Here they are...
Misconception #1 - It only works one way.
Some people want use value, more often than not lots of it, without giving anything in return for it.
In other words...
They want something for nothing.
Question...
If you take something for nothing, are you adding to the life of the world by that transaction or are you taking away from the life of the world by that transaction?
Think about it.
And while you're thinking about it...
Here's something for you to ponder...
In an article he wrote titled "Abundance", the third of three articles in his "The Law of Opulence" series, Wallace D. Wattles wrote:
"... desire for everybody what you desire for yourself, and be sure to take nothing from anybody without giving a full equivalent in life; and the more you give the better for you."
Misconception #2 - It doesn't apply to me.
Many people mistakenly believe the concept of giving more in use value than you receive in cash value only applies if they own their own business.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
I hear comments all the time that go something like this:
"Right now I'm working for someone else so I'm doing just enough to get by, but when I get my own business *then* I'm really going to put everything I've got into it."
Guess what?
Ain't gonna happen!
The Universe doesn't work that way.
Only when you're making constructive use of what you have now will the Universe trust you with more.
Here's the deal...
If you work for someone else, you sell your services to your employer.
In other words...
Your employer *is* your customer!
If you want your own business, start by giving your "customer" more in use value than you take from them in cash value.
Then...
And only then...
Will the Universe begin moving you toward the business you want and it toward you.
Misconception #3 - I have to give things away free.
This one never ceases to amaze me...
There are a whole lot of folks out there, either because they feel guilty making a profit or because they've bought into some Internet "new economy" nonsense, who sincerely believe if they just run around the countryside and give enough "stuff" away free they'll somehow be magically blessed with riches.
Nowhere in his writings did Wallace D. Wattles ever say that, nor did he ever say anything even close to that.
As a matter of fact...
He said quite the opposite.
Notice, if you will, Wallace D. Wattles *didn't* write:
"Give every man more in cash market value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction."
He wrote:
"Give every man more in use value than you take from him in cash value; then you are adding to the life of the world by every business transaction."
Many people have this backwards.
The bottom line is this...
If you want financial success...
Give every person with whom you deal *more* in use value than you take from them in cash value.
Then...
As Wallace D. Wattles also wrote in "Abundance":
"Everything that comes to you will mean more life to someone else. Each gain you make will add to the wealth of someone else. What you get for yourself - life - you get for all. Your success adds to the life, health, wealth and happiness of all."
