Jeremy:
So we love to dive deep into multi-generational family lines that seem to be doing well, especially in the fourth, fifth generations. One of the families that has been seen in American culture as a successful multi-generational family is the Rockefeller family. And recently there was a rare interview done with David Rockefeller, Jr., The chairman of the Rockefeller company. And he said some things about his family, was asked like, “How have you guys done this over the years? Why are you guys still friends?” There’s I think now 250 heirs of the Rockefeller family.

Jeff:
Wow.

Jeremy:
From the original patriarch who started that. They are still getting along. There’s not been any kind of giant blow ups. And so they were just asked in this interview, “Tell us a little bit about what happened and what you think the secrets of that success has been?” He said that his family’s “developed a system of values, traditions, and institutions that have helped the family stay together and preserve their wealth. They are useful to any family trying to raise children with good money values, even if you’re not wealthy.” The family has remained largely united without the public scandals, feuds, lawsuits and tragedies that typically plague other gilded dynasties. There are now over 250 members of the family who are direct descendants of John D. Rockefeller and Laura Spelman Rockefeller. 

And the three secrets that he sort of spelled out here were family meetings, family history, and family values. And I thought these are each really, really powerful.

Jeff:
That’s good.

Jeremy:
He talked about how they work things out in these regular family meetings that they have, that they really honor the shared history of the family, and that they have articulated some values have been passed on generationally that have helped the family really stay together and stay united and make sure that they’re honoring the purpose of the legacy of the upstream generations that really built the family. 

So I thought this was a really interesting idea. Another thing they said is they’ve also, over the generations, less and less of them have been working in a business together. So a lot of that has been worked out more at these meetings and different things that they’ve done to try to work on philanthropic activities and things that they’re trying to do to bless society. But I felt like this was a really, an interesting example, and any time we can see these families that have pierced into the fourth or fifth generation and are still staying united, it’s really important to figure out, “Okay, what are they doing that’s different?” But yeah, Jeff, what are your thoughts on? 

Jeff:
Yeah, well, I just love that part too, even what you said too, of they’re almost doing business less and less. Not that that’s dirty or wrong to not do business with your family, but I do think there’s a natural progression of generational where I feel like you’re doing business together or trying to build assets to steward resources, to go on mission. Right?

Jeremy:
Yeah.

Jeff:
And I think they’ve shown that really well with philanthropy, that all the business stuff was, was just kind of a hedge or a leverage of then to do what they really wanted to do. And I think that’s just a good reminder that to get a hundred years from now and actually have a family that’s collectively the last name is this missional organization, for the kingdom, I think is then to build up assets and resources and stewardship. And when I say assets, I don’t just mean financially or monetarily, but I mean spiritual assets, and relational assets, and all these different things, but build that up to take advantage of it. And I just think that’s right, those are the three secrets. 

The family meetings just keep you rhythmic. They keep everything short, all the accounts short, they bring you back to actually dealing with what you need to deal with. Family history, I feel like if you go back far enough, you realize that your problems aren’t as unique or aren’t as big of a deal because you’re on a longer, bigger story, that always kind of minimizes your version, I think a little bit, in a helpful way. Or, oh, something that’s happening now is not super unique, you know?

Jeremy:
Yeah.

Jeff:
And then family values, I think, yeah, everyone operates on values. And so kind of always harping on that and keeping that consistent is huge. So yeah, I love that. 

Jeremy:
Awesome.