Do Hard Things Challenge 6

I find collaboration to be one of the toughest things. Dealing with different personalities, who gets the credit, dividing responsibilities, trusting others to carry their weight can make us want to say “I’ll just do it on my own.” Let's look at why we should be willing to collaborate, the benefits of collaboration and the dangers of doing things "Lone Ranger" style.

The Truth about Collaboration

Truth 1: God made us relational (Genesis 2:18)
-Having a mate would make Adam’s job in the garden more easily accomplished
-Adam was given a “helper”

Truth 2: Isolation breeds self-centeredness and conceit (Proverbs 18:1)
-self-centeredness-seeks his own desire
-conceit-thinks he knows well enough to ignore wise advice

Truth 3: Collaboration has advantages
a. Higher return on investment of time and energy (Ecclesiastes 4:9)
b. Practical support (Ecclesiastes 4:11)
c. Strength to stand against opposition (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
d. Accountability (2 Timothy 2:21-22)
e. Motivation (Hebrews 10:24)
f. Encouragement (Hebrews 10:25)

Do you think 2 Timothy 2:22 limits who we should collaborate with? Obviously some short term projects can be accomplished with almost anyone. Collaborate on a school project with whoever the teacher assigns you to work with. Repair a broken toilet with any neighbor or friend.

Psalm 1:1-2 and Proverbs 13:20 also give us some insight into the question of who to collaborate with. I think the Bible is very clear that long-term, life consuming, extended collaboration needs to be with brothers and sisters in Christ. Some examples would be bands, business partnerships and marriage. If you collaborate with people who do not know Christ then you forfeit a majority of the advantages discussed before (encouragement, accountability, and strength to stand against opposition for instance).

When you collaborate, think about what will motivate and encourage the church and what will bring Glory to God.

Is there anything you have always wanted to do but just seemed too big for you to do it on your own?