Planting Trees and Making Shade

Warren Buffet said, "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

Most of us enjoy church each week because a handful of people sacrificed years ago, or decades ago, to get a fledgling idea off the ground. The Christianity you embrace only exists because someone before you paved the way. The salvation you have received is yours only because someone before you shared the good new with you.

Now the question to consider is: Who will be sitting in the shade of your hard work twenty years from now? Or more to the point: Will there be shade to sit in? It depends on you planting trees today.

When you build disciples -- whether it's your children, your church members, or your staff -- you're planting trees.

When you help others develop Christian character, or improve their marriage, or parent more effectively, or become a more loyal friend, you're planting trees. When you teach the Word, and teach others to love the Word, you're planting trees.

Much of our work involves putting out today's fire today. Don't let today's urgencies prevent you from making shade for the next generation.

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV)