Would You Be Willing to Make These 2 Risky Investments?

No doubt you have heard the story of a risk-averse young man who asked his parents if he could borrow some money to sell books on the Internet. The year was 1994, and like most people, his parents had never heard of the Internet.

Jeff was a 30-year-old man, and his parents loaned him a little over $245,000. Before they did, he explained that there was a 70% chance that he would lose it all. His parents were willing to take the risk, although they were not placing their faith in the Internet, they were placing their faith in their son. This man quit his job, raised some additional money, and went public in 1997. You could buy one share of his company for $18 per stock when it went public. Jeff did pretty well for himself, his parent’s investment, and the little company he named Amazon.

Sometimes we have to make a risky investment, like Jeff did, or even like the Apostle Paul, who made a risky investment in some people in the ancient city of Thessalonica. That investment also turned out pretty well.

Investing in people

On Paul’s second missionary journey, he desired to stay and minister in present-day Turkey, but the Holy Spirit directed him to Greece.

Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. (Acts 16:6–10, NLT)

People started getting saved and discipled, and the future looked bright. Then, they faced severe opposition. The Jews who didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah were moved with envy (jealousy). So they hired troublemakers (“certain lewd fellows of the baser sort” — KJV translation) to make up lies and get the local authorities against them.

Paul wanted to stay and watch the church grow, but it was too dangerous. Later, he tried to come back, but Satan hindered him both times. As a result, this church looks like it will be stomped out and extinguished by the Evil One.

Sadly, everyone is a new believer. They don’t stand a chance! Or do they?

Investing in Jesus

May we never forget that God has promised to preserve His church Providentially, and it is invincible against the onslaught of Satan. Do you remember this fantastic conversation that Jesus had with His disciples?

Then he asked them, But who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.

Jesus replied, You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. (Matthew 16:15–18, NLT)

The confession of Peter — “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” is the hope for humanity, the key to unlocking heaven’s door, and the foundation for all that we believe.

What a great truth that God is greater than Satan, and He has promised that he cannot destroy the church. There are times that individual churches may be destroyed, but God’s plan for the church is safe and secure.

God has called you and me to communicate the Gospel to those around us. But, before we can ever communicate it verbally, we must speak through our actions. If someone has been watching you for the past six months, would they trust anything you said about God?

Every person that you speak to about Jesus Christ is a risky investment. They may laugh at you, mock you, and ghost you from here on out.

However, they might also listen to what you have to say, repent of their sin, embrace Jesus Christ as their Savior, and change their eternal destiny. That truly is a risk worth taking.

Amazon was a good investment for many, but investing in people and Jesus is the greatest investment of all time.