Investments

How much time do you spend investing in people?

That question has been bouncing around in my head lately.  I preach.  I teach.  I write.  I study.  I counsel.  I blog.  But what about investing personally in people?  The one-on-one conversation.  The patient listening.  The personal prayers on their behalf.  The unplanned visits.

I've found it can be easy to spend a year without making some good investments.

Recently, I spent time with a pastor who obviously had a heart for investments.  Although we don't know each other very well, he was willing not only to open his home to me, but offer his time and resources to be a blessing to my family (whom he's never met).  As we talked, I learned that he has given the same offer to many others.  I was amazed at his generosity with his time and energy.

Spending time with this pastor made me ask myself, "Why don't I do that?"  I like people.  I want to model Jesus' love.  I don't mind kicking back and talking about life with all of its ups and downs.  I love looking for God in those moments where we don't expect to find him.

So why don't I invest more? 

My best answer:  Because I've sometimes confused the best way to invest my time. 

I failed to realize that investing yourself is the best way to connect with another person.  Ten cups of coffee with one friend is often the better choice than knocking on 100 doors and trying to talk about God.  Why?  The personal investment brings the defenses down.  it opens doors.  It changes us from salesmen into friends.

Realistically, none of us can invest in dozens of people.  That would require more hours than God created in a day and more cups of coffee than your budget can afford.  But we can invest in a handful.  We can make the time (it won't make itself!), save the date, and give of ourselves.

I love how the Apostle Paul says it--"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4-5)

What are the "interests of others"?  Short answer=Your best investment.  Invest yourselves in what interests them.

And never forget about how Christ invested himself for us.  He spent 30+ years on our earth not for himself, but for us.  He invested his own life to earn an inheritance in heaven for us.  Because of Christ, you are freed from the rat-race of saving yourself, to the freedom of being forgiven by grace. 

That frees you to invest yourself in others. 

So here's my challenge for you:  Pick one person to invest in this year.  A person you're going to have over for dinner.  Someone for whom you'll buy a birthday gift.  One you'll call at random times and stop by just to say hello.

Once you've picked that person, invest in them.  Let your light shine.  Make sure there is no agenda.  No strings attached.  No alterior motives.  Just the love of God reflected in your investments.

Blessings,

Pastor Mike