Every person should examine his or her heart: am I mainly looking for what I can receive, or for ways I can help someone else? A taker is focused on personal benefit, comfort, recognition, and advantage. A giver, however, recognizes that every ability, opportunity, and resource ultimately comes from God and can be used to bless others. Scripture teaches us to look beyond ourselves: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4, KJV). This does not mean we neglect legitimate personal needs; it means that love moves us to notice the needs, burdens, and well-being of people around us.
Giving is more than placing money in an offering or helping when it is convenient. It includes giving time, encouragement, forgiveness, service, patience, and compassion. The apostle Paul reminded believers of the words of Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, KJV). A giver does not serve only to be praised or repaid. Instead, he gives with a willing heart, trusting God to see what others may overlook. As 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
The real question is not merely, “What do I have to give?” but “How can God use what I have?” and more importantly, am I willing to give it? The cold reality is that most if not all, people are wrapped up in themselves. Selfishness has been the culprit of countless wounds and the very murder of our neighbor. Our very own families and those closest to us have suffered at the hand of its cruel knife, that when you don’t get your way you just stop giving.
But true love will bear, believe, and hope all things, what 1Corinthians 13 calls charity. Not just charitable giving but a life that has been through the crucible of sacrifice and comes out changed, more humble, more sacrificial.
A simple act of kindness may lift a discouraged person; a listening ear may bring comfort; a helping hand may answer someone’s prayer. Takers leave people depleted, but givers leave people strengthened, inspired, and encouraged.
Let us remember both the good and bad examples in the scriptures:
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Are you a Cain or an Abel? A giver or a taker? It’s good to ask the hard questions.
