sound investments in a troubled economy

What a year for the market. Many reports show that for the first time in decades our great land faces Depression-like levels of unemployment. When the bottom started to fall so many lost thousands and ten's of thousands and I only lost hundreds. I guess if you don't have much invested you really don't have much to lose. The problem with this is... you don't have much invested. I realize when I chose a career in the non-profit world that this term was literal. It is non-profit. The only ones making a killing in the non-profit world seem to turn out to be a little crooked. But don't cry for me, I chose this path. I made a conscious decision to follow in the footsteps of my father. I do find it neat that the last sentence applies to both my earthly father and my Heavenly Father.

I have close friends that financially are doing very well for themselves. I will admit that when I see them in their new car, new boats and having lots of big boy toys... I wonder why I can't afford stuff like that? Just this week I was reminded of why. Some choose to invest their money, time and talent in areas that reap them a sweet harvest. There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with this, just for the record. They make wise decisions and it pays nice dividends for them. I on the other hand (and many like me) have chosen to invest money, time and talent in other ways. DISCLAIMER: This is not a self indulgent thought or statement that is set to paint a picture of poor little old me, nor is it intended to make me appear as a financial martyr, greater in any sense or the appearance that I have it all figured out. The truth is, if I had lots of money I would probably be just as broke... I like to spend.

I have simply chosen to make my investments elsewhere. I have also made some very wise investment choices. I can think of a list of young people and even peers that I have purposefully invested my own life in. I give them my time, I give them my heart, I give them my soul. After all, that is all I have. Regardless of how the market is doing and regardless of the value of the almighty dollar... the most sound investment you can make in a troubled economy is when you invest you in someone else. Luke 12:34 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I think we can flip that verse and make the same kind of sense. "For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also."

I challenge me and you... make wise investments. Invest in your marriage. Invest in your children. Invest in your walk with God. Invest in those around you. The payoff is eternal.