I'm perplexed and intrigued at the same time. I've know for years that people can be placed into one of two categories. Either you are a giver or a taker, a getter or a giver. Which are you?
The business I am in lives on giving. Church is that way, yet we are hoping to put a little different spin on what most people may find. At The Community Fellowship we hope to give away much more than we ever have before. We are striving for that and impressing on our folks to be givers.
A couple ways we are doing this is through ARK's (acts of random kindness) and GIVE BACK (giving our church folks cash to give away or to help people around us). Why, you may ask? It is all because our philosophy is to be givers and to raise up more people who will be givers. Jesus gave. We should give. Follow His example.
This is a tough day and a difficult economy. People aren't spending as much. People are being careful. And more and more people are in need. Some of that is through the issue of debt and easy credit. Others are there because of job loss or other matters. Fact is, there are hurting people all around us.
But do we say things like this? --- that's the government's job to help the poor and needy --- OR --- that's the church's job to do that kind of stuff ---- Both statements happen, but both statements are wrong.
Friends, it is time that we become givers. It is time we look around us and demonstrate what it is to lift people, encourage people and to give to those in need (spiritual needs and physical needs). By the way, that is what Jesus did, and He is our example. He would heal someone and watch their lives change. He would meet a need and then speak into those lives because what He was doing (what we are to be doing) was seeking lives to be changed.
Are we willing to motivate people to be givers and not getters? What are we doing to our kids? Making them givers or takers? Christmas is the right time to ask these questions.
2 Corinthians 9:9 (nlt) --- As the Scriptures say, "They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever."
2 Corinthians 9:7 (nlt) --- Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Proverbs 14:31 (nasb) --- He who oppresses the poor taunts his Maker, But he who is gracious to the needy honors Him.
Acts 2:45 (nlt) --- They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
Here is a Post by Ben Arment that may give us some thoughts about motivating people to be givers.
You've heard me say it (or read it in these devotions) a thousand times ... we are called to demonstrate the love of God to our community which is just what it means to raise up people who are givers. Giving Back is a huge deal. We need to stop and think, I need to stop and think about the example that I am setting for my kids and others who I influence. Am I leading others to be givers?
James 2:15-17 (nasb) --- If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
I want to be known as a giver. Best yet I want to gather people around me and encourage others to become better givers. It is time to motivate people to be givers. Join me. Give and be an example!