Investing in the Lives of Others ~ Called to Build One Another Up

November 23, 2025

Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25

Have you ever wondered why it is so hard for some Believers in Christ to do what the Bible so clearly commands: to build one another up? We read the Word of God, we hear the Word preached, and we know what God expects of us. Yet for many Believers, encouraging others feels optional, inconvenient, or reserved only for “certain personalities.”

But the truth is this: building others up is not a suggestion; it is a spiritual responsibility, an expression of Christ’s character in us and one of the clearest marks of spiritual maturity. The same God who builds, strengthens, and lifts us calls us to do the very same for one another. But to do this effectively, we must understand the heart behind it: investing in the lives of others.

Why Investing In Others Matters. Investing in others is far deeper than offering a quick compliment or a moment of inspiration. It is a deliberate, Christ-centered commitment to pour into someone’s life, to help them grow in faith, to strengthen their walk with God, and to walk with them through their struggles, their victories, and their transformation.

Jesus modeled this beautifully: He saw potential in people whom others dismissed, He made time for conversations that others avoided, and He walked with people whom others rejected. Every step Jesus took with His disciples was an investment in them. Every step was intentional, patient, sacrificial, and deeply rooted in love.

When We Invest in Others, We Make The Choice to:

• See their God-given value even when they cannot see it in themselves.
• Encourage with grace-filled words that build up instead of tearing down.
• Share what God has deposited within us: wisdom, experience, compassion, and truth.
• Walk with people through their journey, not just their moments of victory.
• Support them in the ‘process’ by trusting God and what He is doing in their lives.
• Lift them up when life feels heavy, reminding them of God’s promises and presence.

In a world that tears down so easily, choosing to build others up is a radical act of obedience and love. It reflects the heartbeat of Christ and strengthens the Body of Christ.

During my years in cardiac intensive care nursing, I learned something very fundamental: the heart cannot heal in isolation. It requires support, monitoring, prescriptive care, oxygen, presence, and connection. Neglect leads to decline and complications. Support leads to strength and thus healing.

Spiritually, the same is true. People do not heal alone. They heal through connection, compassion, and commitment, through someone willing to invest, encourage, and walk with them. Just as a nurse watches over vital signs, Christ calls us to watch over the spiritual “vitals” of others, lifting the discouraged, speaking life to the weary, and strengthening the weak.

What Is Necessary For Us To Build Each Other Up In Christ?

The loving manner in which we treat one another lays the foundation for building one another up

Some of what the Bible requires of us as being an encourager is all wrapped up in investing in the lives of others and what God wants us to do for others!  It is called ‘Obedience’!

1.  Love “One Another” ~ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35; John 13:15:12,17;  Romans 12:10; 13:8;  1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9;  1 Peter 1:22; 4:8; 1 John 3:11; 23; 4:7 11-12;  2 J0hn 5
2.  Encourage “One Another” ~ But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13 Ephesians 5:19;  1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11;  Hebrews 10:24-25.
3.  Be At Peace With “One Another” ~ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16, Mark 9:50, 1 Peter 3:8.
4.  Humbly Serve And Submit To “One Another” ~ “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13; John 13:14;   Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:3; 1 Peter 4:9-10; 5:5
5.  Show Kindness And Honor To One Another. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13  Romans 12:10; 15:7;  1 Corinthians 11:33; 12:25;  Ephesians 4:2, 32; James 4:11; 5:9.
6.  Instruct “One Another” ~ ^“I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14, Colossians 3:16.
7. Forgive “One Another” ~ Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-13.
8. Stop Judging “One Another” ~ Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. Romans 14:12 
9. Pray For “One Another” ~ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain, and the earth began to yield its crops. James 5:16 (NLT)

HEART CHECK:  Ask yourself,  Who in my life needs encouragement that I’ve overlooked or been too busy to notice?

Do my words build up or quietly tear down? Do I speak life or death? Who invested in my life, and how did it change me?

What has God placed in me that I need to pour into someone else?

HEART CHALLENGE: This week, ask God to show you one person you can intentionally build up.
Write them a note, call them,pray with them. Speak life into them. Will you allow God to use you to lift a heart that may be weary?

THE ENCOURAGING HEART: The encouraging heart builds others up ~ you are partnering with God in someone else’s healing, growth, and transformation. Your investment may seem small, but God multiplies what you give. Encouragement is not a task ~ it is a ministry.
It is not optional ~ it is obedience.
It is not about personality ~ it is about spiritual maturity.
And every uplifting word you speak is a reflection of Christ living in you.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word that gives us clear instructions on how to invest in the lives of others!  Father, help us to see people the way You see them, valuable, loved, and full of potential. Help us to be attentive to those who need encouragement, strength, and support. Father God, use our words, our presence, and our lives to build up others and reflect Your heart. Teach me to invest intentionally, love faithfully, and encourage consistently, in the precious, powerful, and preeminent name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.