The world is made up of two kinds of people: givers and takers. This manifests itself in various ways. Watch the people where you work. There are those there to get a paycheck and those there to work. You see it in family reunions where some do all the work, and others expect it to be done. Some people go out of their way to help others, while some just assume everyone exists to help them. I see it in grocery stores and while driving. Givers and takers.

The problem with takers is that they can never be satisfied. They want everything to be done the way they want it done, when they want it done. They let you know about it when those expectations are not met. They are so accustomed to getting things their way that they fail to even appreciate what is done for them. Takers rarely think about what they can do for others. When they do give, they expect thanks and recognition. They take even when they try to give.

Givers have a difficult time asking for help, even when they need it. They even have trouble accepting help. It is very easy for a giver to be over-extended, exhausted, and burned out. Who takes care of the caregiver?

So let me speak about Jesus and givers and takers. If you are a giver, but have never become a Christian … I have great news for you. Christianity is the home of givers. We take care of each other. We meet our needs together. We follow the ultimate giver. But our giving comes only after we receive the one gift we can never repay. Jesus gives life eternal. He gives the one thing we cannot provide for ourselves. When you choose Jesus, you then enter into community with those who have pledged to deny their self in order to follow the great giver.

If you are a taker, you need to know there is a different way to live. There is a life of purpose and joy that you may have never experienced. Jesus is the one answer to every need of your life. He calls you to receive his gift and transform your life from selfishness to selflessness. So in Christ, we learn to take what we need, and give what we have.

Jesus is a gift for the givers, and new life for the takers.
If you want to talk more about giving and taking, write me at steve@hopeforlife.org. Or join our blog discussion at www.hopeforlife.org.


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