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Friday, July 01, 2011
Give and Take
All relationships work on give and take. Friendships, marriages, business work based on a give and take. If one in a relationship only takes or only gives the relationship will suffer. It also works that way within the church. If a congregation expects the minister to give and just takes the relationship suffers. If the congregation doesn't give back it can cause spiritual burn out. Are people by nature takers? If so, why? Why is it so hard for people to see that healthy relationships work this way? Doesn't it work that way with us and God? If God only gave and we just took would that be healthy? Does a relationship with Jesus work on give and take? If so, how? Is it easier to take than give? Why? Should we especially as Christians be willing to give and take when it comes to relationships, business and the we way we treat others?
Well said!
ReplyDeleteHi Preacher man, excellent questions! What I’ve seen through the years are more dysfunctional relationships than purposeful give and take. This is particularly prevalent in institutional settings like schools and churches. In schools, if learning doesn’t take place it’s all the teacher’s fault. But no matter how many times you lead the horses to water you can’t always make them drink, to use the timeless cliché. And most churches are no different. Parishioners tend to expect the pastor to spoon feed them, when instead they should be on solid food and feeding themselves.
ReplyDeleteOf course our whole culture has become entitlement minded too, all too many expecting the government to provided all their needs. Many feel that the State owes them a living.
It seems to me that many are by nature takers instead of givers – except for those who are mature in the Lord. These are the ones who are givers, because of the bountiful blessings they have received.
Peace and joy,
Debra
Give and Take;
ReplyDeleteWhat do we think when Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn preach on GIVE and TAKE?
What do they mean by "GIVE"? Give what?
And what do they mean by "TAKE"? Take what?
Who is doing the giving, and who is doing the taking?
The Pope also believes in giving and in taking, he tells you to give to God, and then he will take that which you gave to God.
Here in Australia all the Pentecostal Popes love to preach on giving and taking; you do the giving and they do the taking, after all they have to fly around the world in their private Jets to do Gods work, because they think that God needs them to do His work.
Yes I'm a little cynical when I hear those smooth talking Pastors talking about giving and taking.
Also it troubles me when I hear the Fox instructing the Chicken about giving and taking.
What possible can the Fox give to the Chicken?
And all Chickens rejoice when the Fox get shipwrecked.
Concerning the Lord;
What can you give to God what He does not already have.
Can you add to his wealth? Or assist Him in knowledge?
Or is the Lord lacking in something so that He needs your giving?
Certainly Not!
In the Lord it is the other way around, He does ALL the GIVING and we do ALL the TAKING, it is not a two sided relationship as you think.
It is Jesus Christ who created you, and it is He who gives you money, clothing, food and a roof over your head.
It is Jesus who heals your wounds and lets the rain fall on your head.
It is Jesus who gave Himself for you and suffered on the cross for your sins and transgressions.
It is Jesus who loves you with an everlasting, therefore with bands of kindness He has dawn you to Himself.
So then the least you can do is to give Him thanks, honour, glory and praise which amounts to worship, and turn away from those three person gods and Jehovah and any other god you acknowledge and honour.
Paul
Paul, asks a question, then answers it. wrongly I might add but he answers anyway.
ReplyDeleteConcerning the Lord;
What can you give to God what He does not already have.
Can you add to his wealth? Or assist Him in knowledge?
Or is the Lord lacking in something so that He needs your giving?
Certainly Not!
I beg to differ Paul, you can give to God the one and only thing he asks of you, WORSHIP, TRUE WORSHIP. If you truly worship God, you will have no problem obeying his commandments.
And that is what he asks us to do.
Did God command the Israelites to give? Sacrifice? Does Jesus command that we give? Scrifice? I think the televangelists have totally twisted giving. It is not the kind of giving that God desires or requires? Many preach and teach give out of comfort. When we give out of comfort is that sacrifice? Is that really giving? I heard a sermon by Tony Campolo where he was talking about Jesus tell us to give all. We sing it All to Jesus I surrender...But we teach 10%. We should sing 10% I surrender...Many approach God as a Genie. They take. See what they can get. Worship so they can get. Pray so they can get. The prayer of Jabez sold millions of copies. A book about a man who prayed and got. Is it just America? American Christianity that takes more than it gives? Do we preach and teach enough on sacrifice? Does greed and the social system in which we live play a role in all this?
ReplyDeletePersonal sacrifice is giving what you would like to keep.
ReplyDeleteI like that Laymond. Well said.
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