Investment with Eternal Value

“No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another”

Author Unknown.

Two weeks ago, I shared some things we can do to keep hope alive whilst “In the Waiting Room.” In today’s post I want to expand more on investing in the lives of others, this is applicable to everyone and not only those in the waiting room. Investing in lives is making deposits of our resources—time, energy and sometimes finances—into the lives of others. Not as to receive a high return here but to add value of eternal significance to their lives.

God has deposited in us resources which, as faithful stewards, we are expected to use to accomplish God’s purposes. We have been called to be channels and vessels for God’s use. The Lord said to Abram, “I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others” (Gen 12:2). In blessing Abram, God desired for him to be a dispenser of good and a conduit of His blessings to others.

As God truly blessed Abraham so that he could be a blessing to others so also has He blessed each of us His children to be a blessing. God chooses to use people who are available to Him,  and He seeks those He can trust with resources so that they can accomplish His purposes. We, like Abraham, are to be conduits of God’s blessings and not dams or reservoirs. His blessings should flow through us to touch the lives of people around us and not just stay with us to benefit us alone.

The Bible is replete with many examples of those who went out of their way to invest in the lives of others with the resources available to them, and some did so in difficult and austere times. The widow who willing made a cake of bread for Elijah with the little flour and oil she had left, and there was food for her, her son and Elijah everyday. The Philippians provided aid again and again to meet Paul’s need and he remarked that it was credited into their account as fruits which will abound.

As a believer in Christ, you are an ambassador for Him, His representative every where you are irrespective of what you may be going through. You represent Him to others. Jesus being anointed went about doing good, so also you must make deposits of good in the lives of others.

Do I make life miserable for others or make life worth living for them?

How can we invest in the lives of others?

Smile

It does not cost anything to give a smile to everyone you come in contact with. Smiling when your circumstances dictate otherwise radiates your confidence in God and His glory to those around you.

Greeting – a simple hello goes a long way

My husband went jogging one evening and on his way back he passed an old French lady, he paused, said, “Bonjour” and went on his way. The old woman called him back, thanked him and told him he was the first person to speak to her that day! There are a lot of lonely people around; your greeting can make a lot of difference.

Doing good things for others

You can seek opportunities to do something that will impact someone’s life for good—deliberately sowing seeds of goodness into the life of someone brought into your life for that purpose.

Showing compassion

Take time to be attentive to the needs of others and to be aware of their struggles or suffering. Let this drive you to do something to meet them at their point of need and to pray for them.

Forgiving others

According to Joyce Meyer, you are doing yourself a favor when you forgive others.

Learning to serve people

We can intentionally look for those who have needs we can help to support. I have been blessed by many friends who took time to cook meals for my family and I when most needed.

Offer listening ears

Sometimes people just want someone who will listen to them, someone to whom they can pour out their heart and share their struggles. A problem shared is half solved. This requires a willingness to be attentive and to be a good listener.

Words of encouragement:

“Everyone deserves someone who will make them look forward to tomorrow” – this is a quote by an unknown author. This is what an encourager does, he/she gives others reasons not to give up but to hold on to God Who makes all things beautiful in His own time. You can be the person whose words will lighten up someone’s face and give them a reason to go on.



http://www.quotesnsayings.net/quotes/33581



Our acts of kindness must be motivated by God's love. If they proceed only from us, then they will leave our imprint on the lives of others. But when they have their source in God, from our desire to do the will of God – they will engrave God’s image on the hearts of the recipients. It should not be about us, it should be about putting the glory of God on display. Let your light so shine among men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in Heaven (Matt. 5:16).

Let us cultivate gentleness, kindness and love which comes from God and deposit these into the lives of people God brings into our lives. When we invest in the lives of others, we make deposits in their lives that will bring good harvest of eternal value. It also takes our eyes off the clock while in the waiting room. Investing in the lives of people can be sacrificial and we need the help of the Holy Spirit to do so.

When we go out of our way to minister to other people’s needs and to be the bearer of the answer to someone’s prayer, we prepare the way for our own breakthrough. Go beyond yourself and extend yourself to reach out to others. Seek to bring comfort, to bless and minister to others.

I encourage you to take your eyes off the storm raging around you and look out for opportunities to be a conduit of God’s blessing.

Will you be available and willing to be an encourager to someone today, this week and beyond?