How To Create and Add Value as a Christian Youth

When we talk about creating and adding value, the way we as Christians define it is different from that of the world, in many ways.

You might be wondering: "What are you talking about? What do you mean?" Stay with me and you would get the full picture. For starters, let me tell you a story so that you can understand the perspective from which I am coming from.

The Story

Once upon a time, there was a young man (let's call him Peter) who was self employed as a Freelancer and had several clients he worked with. Each had different deliverables and deadlines for him to meet before his payment is made. Peter was a Christian and filled with the Holy Spirit too. 

It so happened that he had a co-freelancer, with whom he shared a co-working space, called Mr A. 

One day, as they went about their work, a conversation broke out between them. And that conversation is what we would use to differentiate between what value is for a Christian believer and what it represents for an unbeliever.

"Tell me Peter, if your client claims to fall sick and he's not offering to pay you, will you still do his work?" Asked Mr A. The question was unexpected and got Peter thinking. Suddenly, he smiled, look at Mr A and said.

"I perceive this is a trick question but I will reply. My identity first of all is that I am a Christian and have the Holy Spirit of God indwelling in me. I know this might not make complete sense to you but one of the privileges that comes with this identity is that by faith in the finished works of Jesus Christ, in His name I can heal the sick."

"So, if my client claims to be ill. Therefore, not willing to pay. My first point of call won't be to think about the money but about his healing. In view of this, I'd pray to God about him and any instruction God gives, I'd carry it out by faith. And trust me, his healing is guaranteed once I follow God's leading unwaveringly." replied Peter.

Mr A looked at Peter like He had lost his mind "That's not practical." He responded. "Well, things work differently for practising Christians. We live life with purpose in mind. And that purpose is to make God known to people and expand His Kingdom on earth. So, in everything we do, we are conscious of this purpose." came Peter's response.

"But, everyone lives life with Purpose, we want to leave our mark on the sand of time." Mr A replied. 

"Well, the difference between the purpose of a believer in Christ and those that are unbelievers is that our purpose transcends this earth. It's eternal — a continuation of Jesus Christ's ministry on earth which was to expand the Kingdom of God. To bring people out of darkness into God's light, so that they can have a personal relationship with God and be transformed to the original nature God intended for us to have — His nature, which is Agape. A Selfless nature that focuses on adding value to others, as the Spirit of God orders our steps." Peter continued.

"So, the practising Christian's purpose is about God and others, not about ourselves. In fact, it is in the opposite direction of worldly purpose. The glory that results as we Christian believers shine our lights returns to God, because our reward comes from Him both here on earth and in eternal life."

"It still doesn't make sense to me!" Mr A rolled his eyes. Suddenly it was impressed in Peter's heart that this conversation was orchestrated by God so that Mr A would be saved. So, Peter explained that the reason Mr A didn't understand what he was saying, is that He's yet to receive the Holy Spirit of God indwelling in Him. 

Then, Peter preached the gospel of salvation to him and asked if he believed and was ready to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Personal Savior?"

However, Mr A refused to give His life to Christ. He stormed out of the work space in anger. Upon getting home, he couldn't concentrate as his mind kept ruminating on the conversation he had with Peter. He kept tossing and turning through the night as sleep eluded him.

Immediately he got to work the next day, he narrated his experiences to Peter. And Peter explained that it was Jesus Christ that was knocking at the door of his heart. And encouraged him to yield to the call by believing the gospel and accepting Jesus Christ 

At the end, Mr A took the step of faith and gave his life to Christ. He was discipled on the foundation of the Christian lifestyle by Peter, who encouraged him to join a Bible believing church and grow in His relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayers and fasting, as well study of the scriptures.

Mr A did as Peter instructed him and found that he began to be transformed in his thinking and desires just as Peter had mentioned during their first conversation. As time went by, he started becoming more selfless and started to receive instructions from the Holy Spirit. 

He began to see gifts of the Holy Spirit being expressed through His life and got clarity on the work God will have Him do in His vineyard. A strong evangelistic grace rested upon Him from God and He went about sharing the good news and his salvation story, bringing others out of the darkness into God's marvellous light. Thereby, expanding the kingdom of God.

Lessons

Dear Christian youth, the lesson from this story is that Agape is the life God is birthing in us as His Children. So, in practically creating value through the works of our hands — skills and talents, we should remember that our motive is to add value (live out agape), not just to make money.

Agape love is the character that the Holy Spirit is birthing in us.

• Agape love is patient
• Agape love is kind
• Agape love is humble (not boastful or proud)
• Agape love is compersion (not jealousy)
• Agape love is gratitude (not envy)
• Agape love is polite (not rude)
• Agape love is selfless (not selfish/self-centered)
• Agape love is easy going (not irritable)
• Agape love is forgiveness (not wrongs- record/grudge-keeping)
• Agape love is justice and truth (not injustice and unrighteousness)
• Agape love is perseverance 
• Agape love is trust and faith in God.

Also, the end goal of making money is to give towards the expansion of God's kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven by giving towards saving souls and helping them grow in their relationship with God. As well as giving towards the welfare of less privileged believers.

So, let's always have these in our consciousness. May God keep us and help us grow in our walk with Him, till we are transformed in the way we view things and begin to think like Him.

See you in the next post. God bless you!

PS: This piece was inspired by the Holy Spirit of God through Blessing Enofe. Kindly share in the comment section what blessed you. Cheers! 🥂