In Second Corinthians, Paul reminds the people of Corinth that they are falling short of their responsibilities and asks them to show more submission to the apostolic authority. Paul looked at the situation as having two groups of people: one that wholly submitted to the idea that Jesus was Christ and one that did not. Paul was trying to explain that all results come from God and that the more a person sows, the more he will reap. We can find earthly riches in our family relationships, financially from work, and through spiritual wealth through prayer and study. Paul asked the Corinthians to support the church and help it prosper. Paul realized that the more a person encourages others, shares, gives, and participates, the more they will see the generosity of God. God intensifies the ability of devotees who give generously to provide even more. This increases God’s righteousness on earth and causes appreciation of Him to grow. God will be worshipped by everyone that receives the gift. Being a positive giver results in positive attitudes and enjoyable lives.
Givers are motivated by a desire to take care of others, want the best for those around them, and see that society is taken care of. They are motivated and feed off the feeling they get when others receive and appreciate their actions. Givers are always looking for ways to make the people around them feel better. As a result, they feel better about themselves. Givers place the interest and well-being of their family, friends, and associates ahead of their own. Every relationship is an opportunity to give and serve others. In Second Corinthians, Paul says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Paul says that each person must give from the heart and have an honest reason for giving. Paul tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. We should always give because we genuinely want to, not because we feel obligated, trying to gain favor, or have self-serving motives. Givers that give for malicious reasons will soon burn out and be discovered. First Peter warns that we should exercise oversight, not be influenced by compulsion, but be willingly as God would have us act, not for shameful gain. Giving should be pure of heart and with the correct attitude.
Living in a world that does not require a certain amount of giving and taking would be very difficult. The taker is always asking what you can do for them, what you have that they want, and whether you are worth their time. People who use others for their own betterment are easy to identify and will be known as “takers.” Proverbs describes the takers as a sluggard who will have nothing when the harvest is ready, the sluggard who craves but ends up with nothing, and the sluggard will be forced to labor. Solomon suggests that the taker visit the Ant and try to learn work ethics from her ways. Takers use people to reach their goals, and then they disappear. Takers can be charming and charismatic but will always end up shallow and without worth. They are seductive and hide behind their motives of self-interest. We are bombarded by advertising, cultural events, and many conversations telling us to take what we can get. We are told to take care of ourselves because no one else will. You will know you are in a relationship with a taker if you feel they are taking and never giving. Your money, time, affection, and mental health will all disappear, and nothing will be provided in return. Proverbs 11:24 says, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” What a truly remarkable principle!
Takers will often appear to be winning the game of life with money, possession, and a lifestyle. Still, if you look closely, they are constantly fighting to control and keep their fragile world intact. Givers sometimes get taken advantage of and are often not appreciated, but in the long run, they live a much more peaceful and happy life. We believe that Luke wrote the Book of Acts. Luke was with Jesus for many years and heard and discussed many topics with Jesus. In Acts 20, Luke describes Jesus as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
It turns out that God’s best for us is giving, not taking.