The apostle Paul writes, ‘Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them’ (Ephesians 4:29 NLT). Eugene Peterson paraphrases it this way: ‘Say only what helps, each word a gift.’ Think of the people you most enjoy spending time with. How would you describe them? You probably aren’t thinking of words like grumpy, bitter, or negative. In general, the people who we prefer to be around and who leave us feeling uplifted and enthusiastic are not the complainers, but celebrators who are passionate about life. As we go about our day, everyone we meet will be left either: 1) better off; 2) worse off; or 3) unaffected. The way to build others up is to see them as opportunities instead of obstacles or obligations. One leadership expert writes: ‘One of the best things you can do for people – which also attracts them to you – is to expect the best of them. I call it putting a “10” on everyone’s head. It helps others think more highly of themselves, and at the same time it also helps you.’ Benjamin Disraeli, one of Britain’s prime ministers, put it this way: ‘The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.’ And we can do that by appreciating, encouraging, and helping others to reach their potential. Hope is one of the greatest of all possessions. Let’s take every opportunity to share the gift of hope with others, build them up, and help them discover their true value and potential in God’s eyes.

What Now?

Try to go about your day with the words of The Message at the front of your thoughts: ‘Say only what helps, each word a gift’ (Ephesians 4:29 MSG). How many ‘word-gifts’ can you give out today?