No one is self made.
Sometimes we think we have done everything on our own, but we all stand on the shoulders and encouragement of others.
Sam Walton is about as “self-made” as anyone in America. We know his remarkable story of success in building the largest retail business in the world and one of the largest corporations of any kind.
Sam Walton started a Ben Franklin franchise store in Newport, Arkansas. Walton’s father-in-law, L. S. Robson, loaned him the $25,000 needed to start the business. Later, when Sam opened his first Wal-Mart, Robson paid a landlord $20,000 to make an expansion lease possible.
We all know Albert Einstein as being a genius. Does a genius need anything? Remember, a genius has to learn everything he knows and a genius has to develop maturity, wisdom, and practical application. The world has plenty of people with amazing I.Q’s who are unknown and have really never contributed anything to world history.
Albert Einstein had Max Talmud, his first mentor. Max Talmud introduced the ten year old Einstein to his first important texts in math, philosophy, and science. Max spent one meal per week at the Einstein home for six years guiding the young Albert Einstein.
No one succeeds alone.
The Apostle Paul had Barnabas, a Jew who believed in Paul (Saul) and encouraged him in service for Christ. At first, believers rightly shied away from Saul. Saul had a reputation for violence and bloodshed. He hated Christ and His followers.
Barnabas vouched for Saul and encouraged him along the way. When Barnabas became the leader (pastor?) of the church in Antioch, Syria, he brought Paul along as his associate. That association led to the first missionary journey. Eventually, Paul took the gospel to Europe, an event which changed world history.
Where would we be without Paul? What would Paul have become without Barnabas?
Jesus chose twelve men to change the future. Through them Jesus, who never traveled far from His hometown, affected the whole world.
No one succeeds alone.
Are you making conscious efforts to take someone “under your wing” to encourage them in their faith? To whom are you saying, “I’m proud of you?” Who are you mentoring as a believer?
We will make more of a significance in those who come behind us than in what we do alone.
If you would like to receive my daily posts, you can subscribe at the top of the page. It’s easy and it’s free.
I would also appreciate your sending this to others as well. Waylonbailey.com is my ministry across the Internet. Thank you for reading and sharing.
2 Responses
Well said. It may also be noted that while no one is self made. No one is destroyed without the help of others.
I am reminded of J. R. Newman’s blessing me before he took his bride of many years to Texas to live. J. R. was my book keeper and tax man for I H S Construction. The Ideal of I H S was to take on the representation of Christ as befitting the three Greek letters and the business motto: In His Service to meet your needs. Before J. R. left he gave me a computer printout of pages full of names of people that had been employed and equipped by I H S Construction saying, “ I don’t think you realize the impact you have had for the Lord.” That was a nice Blessing. We lived hand to mouth those years, some of them leaner than others. I just about always had to take on jobs alone to be able to pay the employees working other jobs. Working night and day was and is something my family endured. It was a price they paid and in some ways continue to pay for the intentional further-meant of “His Kingdom.” My wife who has also poured herself out in His service has the attitude, “I don’t want people to know what I do for the Lord. I don’t want to loose my reward in Heaven.” Now that is a statement that is interesting to me in the context of Matthew 5:16. How do others know what you do or that it is first and foremost for Christ if you keep both your motive and actions to yourself? Where is the witness for Christ?
Katrina has taught interesting lessons about us, God’s Provision and people who call themselves “Christians.” The search to understand context continues. Thank you for your Blessing.
Blessings.
Wishing you and Martha, a very restful, joyous ,well deserved vacation.