An email notifies me of a deposit, my bi-weekly compensation
from the church. The balance grows. Another email reminds me that the mortgage
payment will be deducted. The funds in my account will reside in my checking
account just for a few days before flowing out to other places. Those
transactions made me think about the larger scheme of life, asking myself about
how I interact with other people. Do
I leave people around me richer or poorer? On the whole, am I a giver or a
taker?
Givers bring encouraging words, help and cooperation, prayer, and even resources. We look forward to interactions with them, don’t we? Takers drain us. They whine, criticize, or shuffle their responsibilities onto our shoulders. Yesterday, a person I pastored nearly two decades ago, wrote a note to me. (One reason I enjoy Facebook) She said that life had been stormy, but that the teaching I provided stuck with her and brought her through and helped her to find her way back to Life. I gave thanks that the Lord had used me to make an investment in her that was still returning dividends! Now, she invested in me by offering her encouragement. The circle is complete.
We should be inspired by a man so generous that the nickname given to him by church leaders became the name by which he was widely known. The first time we meet him he is called Joseph. "There was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles." (Acts 4:36-37, NLT) Joe became Barney! He did not come into the story of the church because he was eloquent, or because of insightful leadership, or theological teaching. Everybody remembered one thing about Joseph. He encouraged. He was a giver, a man who invested in others. When those first Christians were suspicious about Paul’s new-found faith, Barney stood by him and vouched for the genuineness of his transformation. His great heart clearly made a positive difference wherever he went. One passage tells us that "When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord." (Acts 11:23-25, NLT)
Jude, in his short letter, contrasts takers and givers, calling on us to share ourselves generously. Of those who are a negative draw, he has these strong words of warning: “They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. …These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want." (Jude 12, 16, NLT) And, then he urges us to an entirely different kind of life: "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering." (Jude 20-22, NLT)
So, friend, which will you be today – a giver or a taker?
Here’s a word from the Word. Don’t think it is just about money. The Spirit is describing a way of life. "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God." (2 Corinthians 9:8-11, NLT)
Lord, as we receive your gifts, let us give ourselves away. Amen.
___________
Givers bring encouraging words, help and cooperation, prayer, and even resources. We look forward to interactions with them, don’t we? Takers drain us. They whine, criticize, or shuffle their responsibilities onto our shoulders. Yesterday, a person I pastored nearly two decades ago, wrote a note to me. (One reason I enjoy Facebook) She said that life had been stormy, but that the teaching I provided stuck with her and brought her through and helped her to find her way back to Life. I gave thanks that the Lord had used me to make an investment in her that was still returning dividends! Now, she invested in me by offering her encouragement. The circle is complete.
We should be inspired by a man so generous that the nickname given to him by church leaders became the name by which he was widely known. The first time we meet him he is called Joseph. "There was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles." (Acts 4:36-37, NLT) Joe became Barney! He did not come into the story of the church because he was eloquent, or because of insightful leadership, or theological teaching. Everybody remembered one thing about Joseph. He encouraged. He was a giver, a man who invested in others. When those first Christians were suspicious about Paul’s new-found faith, Barney stood by him and vouched for the genuineness of his transformation. His great heart clearly made a positive difference wherever he went. One passage tells us that "When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord." (Acts 11:23-25, NLT)
Jude, in his short letter, contrasts takers and givers, calling on us to share ourselves generously. Of those who are a negative draw, he has these strong words of warning: “They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. …These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want." (Jude 12, 16, NLT) And, then he urges us to an entirely different kind of life: "But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering." (Jude 20-22, NLT)
So, friend, which will you be today – a giver or a taker?
Here’s a word from the Word. Don’t think it is just about money. The Spirit is describing a way of life. "God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God." (2 Corinthians 9:8-11, NLT)
Lord, as we receive your gifts, let us give ourselves away. Amen.
___________
Give It Away
He was workin' his garden when I
happened by,
He waved me over with that look in
his eye.
And he started in breakin' off some
ears of corn,
“Here boy, today this corn is just
right.
Just boil it up for your supper
tonight.”
I've learned it's true what my pappy
used to say,
“Nothing's quite as good 'til you
give it away.”
If you want more happy than your
heart will hold,
If you wanna stand taller if the
truth were told,
Just take whatever you have and give
it away.
If you want less lonely and a lot
more fun,
And deep satisfaction when the day
is done,
Then throw your heart wide open and
give it away.
There's been a lotta water over the
dam,
Since that day in the garden with my
Uncle Sam.
So I hope you'll hear these words I
have to say,
There are two kind of folks,
There are takers and givers,
There are gripers and complainers,
And big hearted livers.
It depends on how we choose to spend
our days,
We can hoard up all we've got or
give it all away.
Benjamin
Gaither | Gloria Gaither
© 2005
Gaither Music Company (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management)
Hook, Line
And Music Publishing (Admin. by Gaither Copyright Management)
CCLI
License # 810055
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