Are you a giver or a taker

1
Are you a giver or a taker?

• Acts 2035

2
Givers

• Realize that happiness comes through giving
• They not only give money and gifts, but time,
  energy,attention, etc.

3
Takers

• Want something for nothing
• Like the lottery
• Constantly talking about money
• Talk about themselves
• Love to gain little advantages over others
• Give to receive

4
God wants us to be givers!

• The generous soul will be made rich, And he who
  waters will also be watered himself. (Prov.
  1125)
• He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he
  gives of his bread to the poor. (Prov. 229)
• It is more blessed to give than to receive.
  (Acts 2035)

5
God wants us to be givers!

• "Give, and it will be given to you good
  measure, pressed down, shaken together, and
  running over will be put into your bosom. For
  with the same measure that you use, it will be
  measured back to you. (Luke 638)

6
God wants us to be givers!

• Let them do good, that they be rich in good
  works, ready to give, willing to share(1 Tim.
  618)
• But do not forget to do good and to share, for
  with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Heb.
  1316)

7
Givers in the Bible

• Abraham
• Boaz
• Good Samaritan
• Onesiphorus (2 Tim. 1)
• Jesus - The Model Giver!

8
Jesus, the Model Giver

• just as the Son of Man did not come to be
  served, but to serve, and to give His life a
  ransom for many. (Matt. 2028)
• "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives
  His life for the sheep. (John 1011)

9
Takers in the Bible

• Jacob
• Absalom
• Ahab and Jezabel
• Gehazi (Elijahs servant)
• Rich young ruler
• Diotrephes
• Satan

10
Takers cause problems!

• In the Home
• Husbands and wives
• Parents
• Children
• In certain friendships
• In local congregations

11
Takers as friends

• Possessivenes
• No time to talk with others with problems, but
  want time for to talk about their own problems
• Dont want to hear correction

12
Takers in local churches

• Their attitude towards attendance (What do I get
  out of this?)
• Attitude towards serving - whiners
• Their concern in controversy. How well do I
  look?

13
Rooting out takerism

• Be concerned for others
• Follow the example of givers
• Make lists of people who may need help, prayers
• Dedicate a certain time each week for service.
• Pray!