"Try not to become a man of success
but rather to become a man of value."
~ Albert Einstein
but rather to become a man of value."
~ Albert Einstein
Good Investment Return
#discipleship
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
But to Your name give glory,
Because of Your mercy,
Because of Your truth.
Why should the Gentiles say,
"So where is their God?"
~ Psalms 115:1-2 (NKJV)
"But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant ... you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest."
~ Matthew 25:26-27 (NKJV)
"You are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
~ Matthew 5:14-16 (NKJV)
Ever hear just a portion of a sermon and that's really all you need? I recently caught part of a message which asked the rhetorical question, "What do you expect when you make an investment?" Obviously, we want a good return.
The Lord does not simply hope for, but expects a good return on the time, treasure and talents He's invested in us. The parable of the talents stresses that the Lord considers the servant who gives no return to His master not merely lazy but also wicked.
For what return does the Lord look? The Word of God planted as seed and watered by the Spirit should produce the fruit of love, joy, peace, patient longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Yet all of these qualities are not to build up a good name for ourselves, but so that whatever name we have exalts our sole Investor—our soul Investor.
It is not good Christians the world must see, but a good God.
Lord, I pray today especially for those of us who use social media to speak through the internet. Please make us ever mindful that we represent You, Who has entrusted to us access to the world. May our words make manifest to the world Your mercy and truth and glory.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com
I pray that I may be a good representative of my Father.
ReplyDeleteI need to constantly be aware that I am a representative of Christ. It's so easy to fall in line with the rest of the world and cave to my inner 'grouch.'
ReplyDelete"It is not good Christians the world must see, but a good God." Nice...
ReplyDeleteI'm with Russell, that was extremely well put. I echo your prayer.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Good post.
ReplyDeleteLove this line ... "It is not good Christians the world must see, but a good God."
Oh, that the world would see the One who refines us and makes us less like ourselves and more like Him!
ReplyDeleteI remember I used to think that God made this incredible gamble as if He sent us Jesus to see who might respond. First problem is there is no gambling when you're God! When He showed me it was an investment that would yield unimaginable returns, it changed everything for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reminder today. I appreciate it.
Do I even need to say "good post" as that's kind of a given with you!
ReplyDeleteWe should do a carnival on the fruit of the Spirit.... :-)
Wow... May I not return to Him as a bad investment! LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your prayer!!! It means so much to me :)
God bless my sister!
MichaelAnn
Wonderful reminder Anne! Thanks for the words of wisdom. hugs!
ReplyDeleteGood twist, to think of ourselves as God's investment - That should go over well with the business crowd, speaking their languagea and all. Do you mind if I steal it? Thanks Annie. I will remember this too.
ReplyDeleteDenise, He is answering your prayer.
ReplyDeleteT. Anne, we all have an inner grouch. We can't avoid hearing the world. The key is to listen to the Spirit more attentively.
Russell, thank you for tweeting that quote. I hope others might shine a little brighter because of it.
Wendy, only with prayer does it happen.
Janet, thanks for the support here, and thanks for practicing that on your blog.
Patty, I don't recall us crossing paths. I'm very honored to have you list me on your blog sidebar. I look forward to getting to know you. And, aren't you glad to have that refining make us like One so worthy of our love?
Jason, I appreciate you making that distinction between gambling and investing—an important one when evaluating the stock market, a critical one in seeing that God enables that unimaginable return and gives us the privilege of partnering with Him.
Peter, don't go embarrassing me again. And that blog carnival sounds like a nice idea. I might even drop in. ;D
MichaelAnn, you bless me today! How glad I am to see you. I don't pray for you as often as I'd like, but I haven't forgotten you.
Ellie, hugs back to you.
Brad, I don't take credit for that rhetorical question, which I picked up from the few moments I caught of a message Lou Sutera preached. You're welcome to use in the Lord's service whatever you find worthwhile here.