Return on Investment

“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?"—1 Corinthians 9:11 (NIV) 

By Danny Saavedra    

Have you ever made an investment? Maybe you purchased some sort of real estate, started a business, bought stock in a company, or even planted a garden of herbs, fruits, or vegetables. It seems safe to say we’ve all made investments. One of the most significant investments most of us make pertains to our education. According to a 2015 census, 27 percent of the population aged 65 and older, 36 percent of adults 25 to 34 years old and 32 percent of adults aged 45 to 64 years reported having attained a bachelor's degree or higher. That’s four or more years of your life and usually a ton of money invested in the hopes that it would yield a great, stable career in the field one is most passionate about. 

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is talking about an investment he and his companions have made. Not a new state of the art machine for his tent making business or a promising property in an up and coming neighborhood in Corinth. No, here the apostle is talking about an investment into people. 

In context, Paul is talking about his rights as an apostle. In 1 Corinthians 9:1­–2 (NIV), he says, “Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.” He is defending himself and his colleagues from slanderous attacks made against them. And he’s saying that as someone who has made an investment, has sown the seeds in the field, and put care and attention into their growth, he and his coworkers have a claim to the harvest that comes from it . . . but instead of reaping it, they instead chose to, “put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12 NIV). He is saying that though he had all the right in the world to ask for their support, he never did. 

What a lesson for us today. Don’t invest into the lives of the people around you in the hope of receiving a return on investment. Don’t sow the seeds simply to reap a material harvest. Instead, invest in people out of a love for God and a desire to see them bloom and blossom! 

Are we saying that you shouldn’t enjoy the fruits of the relationships you build? Of course not! The relationships themselves are beautiful and bountiful fruit if you’re putting true effort into them. But we should never invest in people because of what we can gain from them or to exploit them later. Consider these questions for a moment . . .

Has anyone ever tried to exploit my friendship or family ties? 

Have I ever tried to exploit this with anyone?

Have I ever become friends with someone just because of who they were or what I could get out of it? 

Today, we want to encourage you to invest in people as Christ invested in you, not for your personal gain but to experience life in deep, beautiful, and mutually rewarding fellowship and unity. The bond of love and friendship is more than enough harvest! Invest in people; invest in your neighbors, your relatives, your coworkers, the cashier at your favorite coffee shop! Make those daily investments, sow those seeds, and allow your obedience to the Lord and the amazing relationships you build and enjoy to be the return on your investment.