Welcome to my weekly Faith and Family Business reflections, where I (briefly) probe important questions that arise in family business – questions relating to behavior, relationships and legacy – from the angle of a Biblical story. For more information about this series, click here.
Jacob worked for Laban seven years in order to marry his youngest daughter, Rachel. But on the night of the wedding, Laban deviously substituted his older daughter, Leah.
And in the morning, behold, it was Leah! And Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Did I not serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?” (Gen. 29:25)
Jacob had been tricked by his (now) father-in-law. (And you thought your in-laws might be difficult.) But recall that Jacob had also done his share of deceiving, which is why he went to Laban’s house in the first place. He had tricked his father, Isaac, into giving him his older brother’s birthright. The pattern of deception continues, and Jacob reaps some of what he has sown.
Families and family businesses are multi-generational institutions. Be careful! While we often talk of passing assets to the next generation, how you behave toward your family members may one day be the way you are treated, as both good and bad behavior tends to get repeated.
Does your family have any negative tendencies that have been passed from one generation to the next? What has happened when someone has tried to deal with these harmful habits?
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