Iron Sharpens Iron

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” It’s my FAVORITE verse in the Bible, and it points to a basic truth: one of our most important jobs as PEOPLE is to help each other grow.

Some of the ways I try to do this is by treating people kindly, trying to set an example, attempting to stay positive, by praying for others, and by encouraging people who could use an uplifting word—and sometimes challenging them when they are whining. This way of life is important to me.

Mentoring is a more formalized way that believers can help each other. A mentor is a tutor, somewhere between a friend and a teacher. A mentor offers the wisdom of his or her experience to another, helping them to mature.

Anyone can be a mentor to someone else but they must first prove worthy to be a mentor. I think about my mentors in life and I recognize a few things about them.

They are strongly based in Christ.
They have lots of experience with life’s ups and downs,
They have set the example for me and others.
They are worthy. They've seen adversity and maintained composure. (When I say adversity, I mean in their finances, marriage, career, etc).


It boils down to this:
I'm not going to listen to someone telling me how to handle my marriage when there's isn't going so well.

I'm not going to listen to someone teach me about finances when they can't manage their own.

I'm not going to listen to someone's advice on being a great employee when they call in sick to get an extra day at the beach with their family.

So, my question to you. Are you mentor-worthy? Are you setting the example? What do your kids think?