Thinking Right about Investing in Others

It has been proven that the smartest investment one can make is in others.  That same investment endeavor can also be the most frustrating.  The reason...?  People are fickle and, many times, unfaithful.  Just like a return on any other investment, putting resources in family, friends or associates is frankly unpredictable and, therefore, risky.  It can also be disappointing.  So, how should we view any kickback from what we put into the calling or career of others?  We should view it as EXTRA.  Wisdom should always be used in how much time and energy we give to relationships.  A continual stream of negative outcomes will sometimes require more grace and other times, a bit of distance.  But our view of what comes out of any people investment should remain the same:  low expectations.

We resource people for numerous reasons - we see potential or we want to give to discover if there is present potential in that person.  But if we fail in thinking right about investing in others, we will remain frustrated and even become embittered by the lack of sufficient returns.  This may not sound like good business, but relational investments are somewhat different...requiring a bit of space between what we do and what God does.  The Apostle Paul gave this reminder: "It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow" (1 Corinthians 3:7).  Don't allow your emotions to be held hostage by what comes out of your investments in others.  Set yourself free by remaining faithful to invest and then releasing it to God for greater increase.

How can you view your relational investments in a healthier way?  What relational investments to do you need to release to the God of increase?