Leverage Resources Regardless

Jewish stranger. Not only did he stop what he was doing to help, but he also took the man to an inn and paid for all the expenses associate with his recovery. That is some real love. Our money is an excellent reflection of what we value. We live in a world where terms like "passive income" and "return on investment" have become our financial standards. We are very particular in where we invest and how we invest. If we don't get a "good return," it's probably not something worth supporting. The Samaritan made a significant investment into this Jewish man, knowing he probably wouldn't get a financial return on his investment. 

As a parent, there are many things I do to let my children know I love them. Much of the time, it cost me money. The experiences I give them cost me, the activities they are involved in cost me, the food they eat cost me, the houses we live in cost me, the education they receive cost me, and the list goes on. And all the parents said, amen! I am willing to make those investments because I love them and want the best for them. What if I loved my neighbor the same way I love my children? What if I leveraged my resources for my neighbor the same way I leveraged them for my children?

Jesus calls us to invest, regardless of the financial return or other recognition we will get. Financial returns are not bad, but they are not what's most important. In the end, people are most important to God. What if we invested in people regardless of what they will do for us in return? What if every financial investment wasn't for a financial profit? Jesus said, “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul.” This not only refers to being in relationship to Jesus, it refers to the things that matter most to Jesus. The ‘soul’ of life is about impacting others and loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. Jesus gives us resources so we can be a resource to others. We are blessed to be a blessing. I have never read one story about a wealthy person asking about their financial portfolio on their deathbed. Instead, they talk about the people they love and the people who love them. Jesus wants us, his followers, to make sure we are focused on what's most important, love. Love causes us to live regardless and invest our resources regardless of our financial return. How can I leverage the resources I have to love my neighbor? 

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