One of my favorite quotes on leadership is by J. Oswald Sanders. In Spiritual Leadership, Sanders wrote, “The best leaders are those who know the way, go the way and show the way.”
Most leaders have the first two down. They’re well-educated in their trade and regularly achieve at a high level. But the last one is much more rare. It’s not every day you find people willing to slow down and show the way—to invest in those following them.
Investment that produces multiplication has always been God’s way. We see this when Jesus called Peter and Andrew in Matthew 4:19: “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
Jesus’ goal wasn’t simply to gain followers; it was to multiply His ministry through those who followed. Jesus only spent three years with His disciples, but they changed the world. How? Because Jesus focused on legacy. He slowed down enough to show the disciples how to build His kingdom long after He was gone.
The Apostle Paul mastered this, too. He multiplied his ministry through several spiritual sons, but the one it seems he invested most in was Timothy. In his writings to Timothy, we find how to multiply what matters so that it continues for generations.
First, we multiply what matters through education—through knowing the right way. Paul tells Timothy that he had a lot to learn when he began his journey with Jesus. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16 he writes, “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy …” Paul’s entire life changed because of what he learned about Jesus.
We also multiply what matters through entrusting—through going the right way. In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul writes to Timothy, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses—entrust to reliable people…” This is effective mentorship—entrusting your education and experience to those passionate about multiplying what God has done through your life.
Then, we multiply what matters through empowering—through showing the right way. Again, this is where many don’t follow through, and unfortunately, their legacy stops with them. Let’s read 2 Timothy 2:2 in its entirety: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” Here, Paul advises Timothy to continue mentoring the people he has entrusted until they become qualified to continue multiplying the work without him.
All throughout Scripture we see that the most rewarded in heaven are those who invest in others. When we focus on giving and not just receiving, it will multiply what matters for generations. Invest in legacy, friend, and let your life outlive you!
