January 15, 2020 –
The growing materialism of our times makes the separation between a few Givers and the many Takers clear. A global view of this problem is evident, and American cities and towns and often in our neighborhoods. There is an imbalance in the world between Givers and Takers.
Jesus gives an example of this divide and the results it produces. In the Book of Matthew, Jesus separates the sheep (Givers) and Goats (Takers). “He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you took care of Me; I was in prison, and you visited Me.’” (Matthew 25:33-36, HCSB)
To the Takers, Jesus said, “Then He will also say to those on the left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take Me in; I was naked, and you didn’t clothe Me, sick and in prison, and you didn’t take care of Me.’” (Matthew 25:33-36, HCSB)
The activities were the same as the sheep and the goats. But their reactions were different. The Givers are surprised at their actions of kindness. The Takers are surprised any action was needed. While Givers look for opportunities to help, the only opportunity Takers take is to “eat, drink, and be merry.”
After accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, here are six core actions that show the validity of our salvation.
- When we someone hungry, we give them something to eat
- When we someone thirsty, we provide them with something to drink
- When we see a stranger, we take them in
- When we see someone naked, we clothed them
- When we see someone sick, we take care of them
- When we see someone in prison, we visit them.
We see the Givers are activists, and the Takers are bystanders. Givers make things happen; Takers know nothing is happening. The self-indulgent Taker’s mantra is, “I have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy myself.” God calls the Taker “a fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they are?”