“You shall not steal.”
–Exodus 20:15
Today I simply want to ask the question, are you a giver or a taker? And I want you to think about that question in terms of your relationship with people and your relationship with God.
First, your relationship with people. When it comes to others, are you a giver or a taker? Think about the words you say. Does what you say build people up… or tear them down? Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Is your life marked by this verse?
Then think about your actions. Does what you do help people… or hurt people? Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.” Are you letting this verse play itself out in your life?
Now I want you to think about your relationship with God. When it comes to him, are you a giver or a taker? Think about the life that he’s given you through Christ. Are you showing thankfulness to him by living a life serving him, loving him, and worshipping him? First Corinthians 6:20 says, “You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
As followers of Christ, you and I have been bought and paid for by the blood of the Lord Jesus and who we are and what we have belongs to Him. We are purchased as His own possession!
That means when we withhold our lives and gifts from Him… when we sit on the sidelines and do not participate in the work of the ministry of Christ on earth… we are taking from God what’s really his. We’re robbing him! And the same is true when we don’t bring him our tithes and offerings.
So today my encouragement is this. No one, not you or me or anyone else, is a giver 100% of the time. We’re all selfish to some degree. But don’t let that keep you from striving to give yourself completely—to others and most of all… to God.
WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD,
ARE YOU A GIVER OR A TAKER?
