Steve - good post.
plain and simple - you must give more value than you receive in money value.
It's stated very clearly in the 1910 classic, 'The Science of Getting Rich' by Wallace Wattles.
For anyone who is interested to learn more about this book, see these links:
The Science of Getting Rich: Principles 1-3 The Science of Getting Rich: Principles 4-7
Enjoy,
Stephen Martile — Personal Development Made Simple