For hundreds of years, a major mode of communication in some places on the African continent involved the use of drums. Messages could be sent for many miles, from village to village using this method. There is a proverb based on this scenerio of communication by drum that states, “the one who beats the drum does not know how far the sound will go.”

How applicable this proverb is to Christian stewardship. Our investment in the lives of others with our prayers, loving concern, finances, teaching or just simple gracious words of encouragement have the capacity to go far beyond the immediate impact. What encouragement to us to read of such happenings in the lives of biblical and post-biblical historical characters who reaped by their investments well beyond the immediate event or even beyond their earthly lives.