Invest in People, See What Happens

Earlier last month, a group of people on an internet forum centered around the stock market conspired together to invest in a throw-away stock in a gaming company called Gamestop, against giant hedge funds who had “shorted” the stock. “Shorting” essentially meaning they had bet against the growth the stock, in hopes it would continue to sink in value. 

Since so many common people from that internet forum poured their money into the stock though, it exploded with growth costing the large hedge funds immense amounts of money. Major news outlets such as FOX, CNN and NBC all reported on this anomaly. Some people bought the stock while it was down at $7 a share. By the height of the debacle, the stock’s price had reached roughly $400 a share. Those online stock market amateurs came away with huge returns. They would tell you that was a good investment. 

What’s a good investment for us? What should Christians invest in? Maybe not so much GameStop stock. Try investing in people more and see what happens. 
Loving God and loving others are the two legs that we stand on in our faith. Jesus affirms this in Matthew 22:36-40. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” The entire law and character of Christ could be summarized in those two commands.

Our faith isn’t meant to stand on one-leg. As we pursue God, we can’t forget about our brethren or the lost people we come into contact with. People are very important to God—so much he would come to earth, suffer and die for all of them.

 How important to us are the people in our lives? We shouldn’t go through the motions with them. We shouldn’t wait for our turn to talk. We shouldn’t try to make ourselves bigger next to them. 

We should bow our pride and invest in them, for the glory of Christ.
We should ask them how they are feeling, and come alongside them. If they are a Christian, we should encourage them. If they have questions and don’t know Christ, we should look to introduce them. We should pray with people, out loud, by name standing right there with them.
Love the Lord your God, and love people. Invest in the people around you and see what happens.