Information Related to "Your Greatest Asset"
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Not
long ago I telephoned some friends. After several rings, the answering
machine picked up the call. "Our friends are our
greatest asset," explained the familiar voice. "Please leave a message
and we'll get back to you." Long after leaving a brief message, the exchange
lingered in my mind.
In spite of having listened to hundreds of answering machine messages, this one really got my attention. "Our friends are our greatest asset," kept replaying in my mind. While I had always valued friendships, this short message encapsulated the importance of relationships in a simple, yet profound way.
The throwaway mentality of today's society takes relationships for granted. If one relationship goes sour, "Just forget it," reason some. After all, there are plenty of others to start a new relationship with. The evidence of this approach is everywhere around us. Divorce is rampant. Workers get mad at their employers and wreak havoc upon customers and their fellow workers. Teens experience the wrath of fellow teens bringing guns to school for protection or to kill others.
The Bible reveals "that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves" (2 Timothy 3:1-2). While it is important for us to have a healthy respect for ourselves, this prophecy focuses on the unbalanced view that many will adopt at the end of this age before Jesus Christ returns to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This overemphasis on the self results in the needless destruction of friendships.
The ability to make, evaluate and sustain relationships has never been so critically needed. Proper relationships with siblings, relationships with friends, relationships with teachers and, most importantly, relationships with God are vital to happy, fulfilled lives.
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Table of Contents that includes "Your Greatest Asset"
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