Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 539 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Supporting Others – The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is Day 539 of our trek, and we are hiking a series of trails called The Tools in Gramps’ Backpack. Each Monday for a total of 20 weeks, we will explore a different tool that is needed to equip parents and grandparents to train their children and grandchildren to be successful on their trek of life. If you don’t have children or grandchildren of your own, use these tools to train others that you do influence. Today the sixth tool from Gramps’ Backpack is Supporting Others.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. As persons of influence, we have certain moral obligations that we should pass on to our children, grandchildren, and others on whom we have influence. The tool from Gramps’ backpack that we will explore on our trek today needs to become part of the very fabric of our lives. That tool is…

Supporting Others

I believe all of us would like to make a difference in our world and to make it a better place, but we are not sure of the best way to make an impact.  Jesus told the story in Luke 10 that we refer to as The Good Samaritan – a story about an individual who helped a fellow traveler when no one else would. The uniqueness of this story is that the Good Samaritan was a social outcast and enemy to the Hebrew traveler that was assaulted. We too should be “Good Samaritans” when we encounter people who need our help, regardless of who they are. Galatians 6:2 tells us, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

The words of Jesus are clear as to the extent that we should help others. In Matthew 10:8 he said, “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!”

As followers of Christ, we are commanded to be generous with our family, with our friends, and with others that are in need. We must give freely of our time, our possessions, and most importantly, our love.

John Maxwell said,

The tool of supporting others has its origins in the law of planting and harvesting as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, “Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” 

For this tool to be effective, you must use it. Wherever you happen to be on your trek of life be a “Good Samaritan.” Your children and grandchildren, others you impact, and even complete strangers need this tool.

John Wesley summed it up well when he said, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

There are times when we are called to love, expecting nothing in return. There are times when we are called to give money to people who will never say thanks. We are to forgive those who won’t forgive us. We are to serve even when no one else notices. We are only fully alive when we are helping others.

With these thoughts in mind, we will conclude our trek for today and close Gramps’ backpack. Before I do, I will pass the tool of Supporting Others on to you. Once you have this tool in your backpack, it is up to you to start effectively using this tool to help others. Become a “Good Samaritan” every day and your children, grandchildren, and others will see your example and learn your ways. Make it an integral part of your life and then teach these principles to others.

Next Monday we will investigate the seventh tool in Gramps’ backpack, which is Leadership. On tomorrow’s trek, we will explore another wisdom quote. This 3-minute wisdom supplement will assist you in becoming healthy, wealthy, and wise each day.

Thank you for joining me on this trek called life. Encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!