Wise Investments: Three Ways to Invest in Others

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenk

"Transformation in the world happens when people are healed and start investing in other people." Michael W. Smith

Welcome to the second instalment of the Wise Investment series. If you haven't read the first instalment about investing in yourself, you can read it here. 

Today we are talking about the simple, yet powerful principle of investing in others. I was raised by exceptionally loving parents who made investing in others a way of life. In big and small ways, they would do their part to come alongside others in meaningful and practical ways. They developed a helping mindset and made a decision that they would help others every week affectionately naming their giving and generous lifestyle: Through the Roof Ministries.

The name Through the Roof was based on the Bible story where friends lowered their crippled friend through the roof for him to access a healing from Jesus in a crowded home. They, like my parents believed firmly in doing what it took to get the job done and meet the needs of others. It is my honour to call them my parents and I seek daily to follow in their footsteps to the best of my ability.

We can invest in others in several ways and these methods often overlap with each other. Here are some great options to consider when wanting to bless and invest in others. 

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The Gift of Words

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I have talked often in many blogs about the extreme power of a compliment or kind word. People are desperate for encouragement. Sometimes the word of affirmation you give could be the first that that person has heard in a very long time.

It doesn't have to be an extremely deep compliment either. Consider simple statements like these: "I LOVE hanging out with you." "You are so much fun!" "You make me smile." "I am blessed to have you in my life." These small sentences when spoken at the right time, to the right person, carry BIG dividends. It does not take much to turn someone's day around. Sometimes your inspiring word, may be just the thing needed to do that. A verbal compliment, card or email can have a truly lasting impact.

Little Acts of Kindness

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It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day. I think we overthink it sometimes. I have struggled on occasion with whether or not I should do something for someone, at specific times, yet my mom always said “You never go wrong by being kind.” 

Whatever you have in your hand, you can use to bless someone else. I have a friend named Margaret who did just that. This incredible story has affectionately been deemed the pumpkin pie story and it goes like this...

One October day, Margaret made one of her famous, and delicious pumpkin pies. Her family had enjoyed it immensely, but after all the dinner dishes were cleared there was still one piece left over. As she was tidying up, she considered what to do with this last piece of pie. An idea popped into her head. The idea was to deliver this piece of pie to my mom, Marilyn. Margaret was a dear friend of my mom’s and she thought she would really enjoy the pie.

Margaret struggled however with this idea. Margaret is a very kind and generous person.  She and I have chatted many times about the “pumpkin pie” story, and she shared she felt foolish about giving only one piece of pie to a good friend.

Her desire would be to present my mom with an entire pie for the whole family to enjoy, not one little piece. Margaret felt it was insulting, yet nevertheless she could not shake this feeling that that pie slice somehow had my mom’s name on it.

Margaret tells the story of how she drove up and down my mom’s street several times before she finally got the courage to go to her door with the pie. What she didn’t know was that very day my mom had been out shopping to fill a craving she had for what else, but pumpkin pie! Sadly, as it was close to Thanksgiving, there were no pumpkin pies anywhere! My dad was away on a men’s retreat and one piece was all Mom really wanted.

Imagine my mom’s joy and delight when a piece of scrumptious, pumpkin pie was delivered right to her door. Margaret felt incredible too that despite her feeling a bit silly by bringing only one piece of pie, she became an agent of encouragement for a dear friend.

We all agreed it was more than an idea for Margaret to deliver the pie to my mom, but instead a God-inspired prompting. What felt insignificant to her at the time, truly blessed another. 

Many times in life we have something we can do for others that meets their need. Nothing is insignificant when it is done with a heart of love or a desire to be a blessing. Maybe you have a trade or skill and you can offer that to help someone. Don't underestimate the power of practical help. You can be the answer to someone's prayer and that is an incredible thought to reflect upon.

The Gift of Time

Photo by Julia M Cameron

What time can you give to bless someone else? Can you find time to volunteer at a local charity? Could you coach a little league soccer team? Could you help run a local breakfast club at a local elementary school? Could you teach a Sunday school class or take someone out for coffee who needs your advice or listening ear?

There are endless possibilities out there. The wonderful thing about investing your time in others is you too are incredibly blessed in the process as well. It doesn't get much better than that, does it? 

So what can you do to invest in others today? There are so many options. Don't hesitate. Investing in others is one of the greatest investments out there.

You get such incredible returns on your investments as well. One is  the blessing of knowing you truly changed someone's life in a big or small way and that my friends makes it ALL worth it!

Until next time,
Dana 

Matthew 10:42: And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.

Little Lesson Learned: Whatever you have to offer others, know that it can be used in powerful life-changing ways if you are open to it.

Author

​Dana Romualdi is a Canadian elementary teacher, social worker, blogger, author, motivational speaker. She has a passion for helping others and spreading much-needed encouragement. She lives in Canada with her husband and two grown children. When she is not working in the classroom or blogging, she enjoys drinking coffee, watching Netflix and reading great books.

Tags: helping others, investing in others, least of these, gift of time, words of affirmation, volunteer, acts of kindness, change your world

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