Don’t lend money to those who are wasting theirs.

Foolish lending is injustice to our families.

Proverbs 27:18

Nothing great comes without great effort.

However much you put in to the cultivation of anything, be it a garden or a relationship, that effort is largely what determines what you will reap from it.

It is those to whom we pay special attention, those who we study and accordingly care for, they are the ones with whom we will reap a close connection and bond with.

We will reap tremendous blessing for ourselves through this caring cultivation and deepening of love.

Do you care this way for anyone?

You think about them, pray for them, and act toward them in a way that affirms them?

Taking the time to really know someone is one of the most life-affirming and encouraging things we can possibly do.

To be known.

Luke 14:12-14

How do you treat others who have nothing to give you spiritually, emotionally, or physically?

This speaks volumes to your character.

One of the toughest aspects of working with homeless youth at Outreach, Inc. I found to be was ministering to teenagers who gave me little to no spiritual or emotional affirmation whatsoever.

But we don’t do that kind of work to feel good, or gain affirmation from people.

We do it because it is right and good and for the only affirmation that matters, that of our Maker, YHWH.

And as Proverbs tells us above, we will reap that close connection and bond, even with homeless youth, believe me. It just takes consistency and patience.  Affirmation does indeed come, but not immediately.

We perform for an audience of One.

Treat every single person you encounter as if they were Jesus in disguise, for in a sense, they are.