What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
So, are you wondering if I have become an investment counselor and I am going to advise you on how to make a fortune? Well, yes-and no! If you are thinking that I have the inside track on how to invest your money, well, I am sorry, I do not have that knowledge! If you can wait for your reward that is ‘otherworldly’, well, you are in the right place!
Whenever we examine the life of Jesus we find examples that we can emulate. He showed us how to pray, how to treat people, how to be a friend, how to fish, even how to cry. Most importantly, He showed us how to invest in people! He spent time investing in his disciples, friends and others as He interacted with them in His years on earth.
Using the example of our children, when they are born, we begin investing in them. We invest our time, our wisdom, our prayer, and a lot of our money! When they become adults, we begin to receive the ‘return’ on that investment. It is usually in the form of productive healthy fully independent Christian adults. If they give us grand children, it’s a bonus!
If we want to make investments where we will get the highest dividends, the most ‘bang for our buck’, and who wouldn’t? Invest in the PEOPLE Fund! That’s right, the highest rate of return will be given by our Heavenly Father when we invest in people! While others are spending their time pouring over the stock trends, latest new highest returns, watching the wall street reports, you are just going about your everyday business of investing in people. How, you might ask?
Depending on where you are in your life journey, there are many ways to invest in people. Some take more of your time, some take more of your money, some just take you!
Here are some suggestions, I am sure you will think of your own ideas, just using these as a jump start.
If you are retired, you can invest in some nice stationary and begin writing, or send a card. If your church has information about those who have been sick, had a baby, or lost a loved one-send a card or note. If you have a local prison and a ministry there, you can get the name of a prisoner to communicate with. Your wisdom and encouragement will be priceless to them, and may even be their door to Jesus! I have been writing to a young woman now for 2 years. It is very rewarding-for me to hear it in her letters as she grows in her faith.
If you have some extra time you can volunteer at a shelter where you can sit and chat one on one in their day room. We have life experiences that can be helpful to someone who needs to be nudged back on the right path.
Recently I seem to have people coming into my path that have lost loved ones. A listening ear and shared experiences can help them over that bumpy road. Some instruction for this area can be found on GriefShare.com.
I know this one is not for everyone, but, search your heart and home, it may be you. My niece and nephew adopted 4 children who would have been left in the ‘system’ if they did not open their hearts. Another family with grown children adopted 3 teens! Yikes! They are looking to foster 2 more. Apparently the reward of giving children a healthy and happy home is more than the inconvenience to them. I commend them for their efforts. This is not my ‘investment’ area!
Even young people have the ability to be a friend to someone who may be sad, lonely, or even rejected by their peers. Right now with ‘social distancing’ many are not seeing friends and feel isolated. Make the first move and reach out to someone on social media platforms. Just knowing someone is there helps.
If you have the time and fortitude, you might be able to help a Mom struggling to juggle her job at home with children and their schooling. Even a couple hours of help either with the children, or household chores would be a blessing for them.
Any widows or disabled that you know? Take them out to lunch, or take a lunch to them! That was a huge blessing to us when we had a visit to the er, and found lunch sitting on our doorstep when we returned.
I am sure you are getting my meaning for the PEOPLE Fund. This is an investment whose dividends are out of this world!
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