Two are better than one,
because they get a good return for their effort. Ecclesiastes 4:9, TLV
What is Your ROI? Back when I worked in the corporate world, a high ROI was paramount. Division heads and executives wanted to know that Return on Investment. Too low? Get rid of the project. Great ROI? How could it be more successful or replicated?
It’s interesting the translators used a similar business term for fellowship.
For if they fall,
the one will lift up his companion.
But oy [woe] to the one who falls
and has no one to lift him up! (vs. 10, TLV)
King Solomon’s sometimes depressing “proverbs” in Ecclesiastes brought an interesting concept to mind this morning. How is our fellowship or friendship ROI?
If we’re always the one encouraging or helping the friend who falls, and there’s little to no reciprocity, we might want to evaluate that investment. Not assessing the value of the person, but the relationship.
I have friends that because of great distances, we’re unable to regularly “invest” in each other’s lives. However, when we do, that investment is so great, it goes a long way.
Likewise, I need to assess my investment value to others.
Have they received value from what I’ve given to them — meaningful time, prayers, listening ear, a caring card, a phone call or visit?
A Different Type of Investment
Sometimes our relationships are “one-sided” for a reason. There may be unusual circumstances temporarily or the relationship has become more like a ministry situation. Then we may need to change our expectations of what the ROI should be. Perhaps, our true ROI will be realized once we get to heaven.
Whatever our investments, let them be love-driven and Spirit-guided.
Worth investing time to think about, yes?
