Let’s invest in people

After being warned by the prophet Daniel about his sinful pride (Proverbs 6:16-17; Psalm 101:5; cf. Proverbs 16:18), the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar was struck with insanity. The Lord restored his mind, but only after he spent a long period of time in a field thinking he was a wild animal (Daniel 4:28-37).Nebuchadnezzar went from boasting, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for …. the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30 ESV), to a humble prayer: “I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven” (Daniel 4:37). He had repented of prideful empire building.There should be concern about empire building in the church today. Instead of focusing on large church buildings, one Christian evangelist encourages Christians to “build into the lives of people” and leave the results to God (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).When a congregation devotes undue energy to statistics, buildings, and programs, pride can enter in and the spiritual needs of God’s people can be forgotten (cf. Hosea 4:6).Jesus never forgot the value of people. He invested His time in 12 appointed men (Mark 3:14 ESV). Paul taught Timothy who in turn taught others (2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 2:2). Brethren, God’s kingdom grows when we invest in people! (cf. Acts 2:37-47; Acts 4:1-4; Acts 6:7; Acts 12:24; Acts 19:20; Colossians 1:5-6).