Givers and Takers

June 9, 2010

The givers and takers of this world are separated by several unique and interesting characteristics. Let’s talk about the takers first. I wish to associate them with a movie that starred Tim Allen in it. Tim was a Dentist that loved to ride his Motorcycle. He along with three other buddies called themselves the Wild Hogs. They decided one day to take off and explore their surroundings. After one stop they ran into another Motorcycle gang and a fight ensued. During this fight, the leader of the “bad” group called Tim and them posers. Tim responded after almost getting his brains kicked in that Ray Liota and the “bad” gang were the posers. Tim even stated that they wanted to be like them. How does that relate to takers?

Takers are people who drained the life out of someone or something. They are never happy. They are always complaining or griping about the situation that they are in. They never accept responsibility for their actions. It is always someone else’s fault. Takers can’t just fade away privately; they have to take someone else down with them. I associate them with someone who is caught driving drunk. The drunk will say the bartender sold him the booze. The bartender will say the distributor brought him the booze. The distributor will say the brewery made it. No one takes responsibility for their own action. Takers are always looking for a way out of their obligations. They do not put the team first, but their own agenda. In the church world, the church is the team and the individual members are the players. We all want to be the chief, but we can’t all be the chief. There still must be some Indians to follow the chief. When the chief makes them do something they don’t like, then the takers try to overthrow the chief. Takers will argue for their point even at the expense of someone else suffering. Well, enough of the takers. Let’s talk about the givers. Who are the givers?

The givers are Christ followers. They put their brother/sister first. They accept responsibility for their own actions. They feel compassion for their friends and neighbors. They will do whatever it takes in Christ to live peaceably with their neighbors. They will not add trouble when trouble is already happening.

Let's be givers today!