Investment is “oriented toward future returns, and thus entails some degree of risk.” This word in most uses is always considered in the context of money or finances; however, it’s meaning covers much more than tangible goods. Note the “goal of future returns and degree of risk” that is referenced. We make choices every day in investing “ourselves.” We have abilities, knowledge, character, and time that we make decisions about daily; all of which have a future return and involves a degree of risk. Am I investing myself in that which will bring the best return of that which will matter? What might the investment of endless hours of television return to me? There just isn’t much there.
Jesus used “parables” to teach His Truths. Parables have been called “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.”
“He said, A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone’” Luke 19:12-13 (NLT).
The Bible says in James 1:16-18 (NLT):
“So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all creation, became His prized possession.”
For the intent of this article, let’s consider the nobleman in this parable as God Who has given us our children (Jesus’ prized possession) to invest in. We see an investment as worthwhile when it multiplies from the original amount. This is God’s formula for the investment we make in the lives of our spouse and children. These investments are priceless with lifelong returns. What robs me of that investment potential? How much of ourselves do we invest in things that won’t matter tomorrow, much less in five years?
It is required of each of us to reflect and measure the investment of ourselves and what we are producing. Who or what has my attention? Seconds become minutes and minutes hours and then hours become days. We will not get yesterday ever again. Just like we must intentionally invest our money so that we have a good return on it, we also must invest ourselves in the relationships that matter the most. There is a precious promise in Scripture about what we are sowing in Galatians 6:7 (NLT): “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
If we don’t take time to invest in our marriage, then that relationship will eventually lose its potential. If we don’t intentionally invest in the lives of our children, then when the roles are reversed and we want them to invest in us it probably won’t happen.
“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
1 John 3:16 (NLT)
