In “Little by Little: A Journey to Success and Significance for Life,” (2008, B&H Publishing Group, Nashville) Greenville businessman Jack E. Shaw offers up the collected wisdom of his personal and professional experiences to encourage readers to become people whom God can use for his glory.
The book’s title is is taken from from Exodus 23:30: “I will drive them out little by little ahead of you until you have become numerous and take possession of the land” (Holman Christian Standard Bible).
When Shaw first read those words, “little by little,” in the biblical context, he said they came “alive in his spirit,” making him think such a concept should be adapted to the totality of a person’s life. “Life is a journey of steps, not an instantaneous happening,” he said.
Shaw describes his avocation as banking. He abandoned his plan to own a bank and only participated in the evolving banking environment that allowed multiple bank holding companies and interstate banking franchises, leading to a frenzy of mergers and acquisitions. His banking journey began as director of the Bank of Greer. Via subsequent mergers, he became a director of BB&T. Today, he is chairman and CEO of the Shaw Resources real estate and property management corporation.
In “Little by Little,” the author draws conclusions about how “dreams come true, degrees are earned, friendships are grown, families are raised, and companies are built.”
But his self-proclaimed first passion is “to introduce you to Jesus Christ, who is responsible for all the meaningful happenings in my life.”
Frank Page, former president of the Southern Baptist Convention and pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church, where Shaw is a member, says Shaw’s book is a “must-read.”
“In the vein of Will Rogers,” Page said, “it is a book full of wit, wisdom and sage advice for all who would follow God’s design for a godly life, a successful life and a joyful life.” Page said Shaw’s book offers “a large number of wise and practical lessons that help people avoid some of the pitfalls of life, while at the same time enjoying some aspects of life that others find mundane.”
Jimmy Draper, president emeritus of LifeWay Christian Resources, says Shaw “has given diamonds of principles” that are “priceless.”
Shaw writes in the first person, but says the focus of the book is not himself. “If it is, I will have failed in this endeavor,” he writes in his introduction. “My passion is to introduce you to Jesus Christ, who is responsible for all the meaningful happenings in my life.”
“Little by Little” is available through LifeWay Christian Stores.