While I don’t find myself in a church on a regular basis, I do see great value in learning from religious leaders. John Wesley’s writings are no exception. Wesley lived during Revolutionary War times in both England and America. He founded a very analytical and studious movement in Christianity called Methodism.

The Methodist approach to religion reminds me of many of today’s agnostics. The basic, watered down premise is to accept no dogma blindly, but instead for each person to study and interpret all writings for himself.

John Wesley Quotes

The danger in such a thoughtful approach to faith is similar to a flaw I have noticed in myself and many of my clients. Many of today’s entrepreneurs experience “paralysis by analysis.”

“Beware you be not swallowed up in books! An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.” –John Wesley, 1768

John Wesley writes that while knowledge is important, it’s the love that really makes a difference in the world. Beware of sitting back and spending your whole life making “perfect decisions” and failing to take action. There is no such thing as a perfect plan. Get out into the world now and spread your love.

On the other hand, John Wesley wrote not to run your life with your head down:

“Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry.” –John Wesley, 1777

True leaders develop the ability to make informed, efficient judgments quickly. This is one of the keys to success. Surround yourself with wise advisers, trust their opinions, but never hurry through any decisions to the point that you forget to think for yourself.

John Wesley measured success differently than many others of his time (and many people of today as well). Wesley felt that success is measured not by the number of possessions that one can amass, but by the amount of positive that that he can implement.

“Having first, gained all you can, and secondly, saved all you can, then give all you can.” –John Wesley, Sermon 50

This is commonly paraphrased “Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.” In order to be a good steward of the resources we have been given, we must do our best to produce more than we consume. Then, with the bounty that we have leftover, we must help others. We must strive to turn our world to paradise on earth.

If the teachings of John Wesley resonate with you, then you have a lot in common with Joshua Bevan.

Watch some of Joshua’s videos now.