The Givers and the Takers

Greetings in the name of Jesus! This is Rob Haymes. This is 15 Minutes With Jesus. Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, Jesus said, there am I in the midst of them. To those of you who love Him in truth: mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. (Jude 1:2)

Father, in Jesus name, we thank you for this day; we thank you for this program that you have given me, thank you Father, for your people. Give us all ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying, in Jesus’ name, thank you Father.

This program is called, The Givers and The Takers. There are people that love God, and will love you and do you good, and there are people that love themselves and only want what they can get from you. They walk in witchcraft to manipulate you and get what they want. God brought people into Jesus‘ life to minister to Him of their substance. Let’s turn to Luke 8:1, Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance. Let’s turn to Luke 10:38, Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His Word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. And Jesus answered and said to her, Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Martha and Mary and Lazarus had a house, and Jesus stayed at their house and they fed Him and showed hospitality to Him and His disciples.

Satan tries to bring people into your life to take from you; to steal, kill, and destroy, like Judas. Let’s turn to John 12:1,   Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. You see that? He was a thief, and he took money from Jesus, and he betrayed Him unto death. But it was the will of God, that the scriptures might be fulfilled. Matt 7:15, Jesus said, Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. They want to devour you, like the scribes: Jesus said, Beware of them, for they devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence, make long prayers. They love the chief seats; the honor of men. They don’t love you or God, but themselves only.  

The Scripture says, Let him who stole steal no more, but let him work with his hands, doing that which is good, that he may have to give to those that are in need. Let the taker repent and become a giver. When God leads you to give to someone, it is a blessing; to show compassion. But when you let people manipulate you, it is not a blessing, and they will keep on manipulating until you stop letting them use you. We’ve got to learn to overcome the takers; the wolves. Jesus said to beware of them; they can really mess up your life. 

Rom 16:23, Paul said, about Gaius, he said, Gaius my host, and the host of the whole Church, greets you. 3 John 1:1, talking about Gaius, one of the saints, who was a giver,  The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. Gaius was a giver; he showed much hospitality to the brethren.

In 1 Kings 21, we read about Ahab and Jezebelle: they were takers. They killed Naboth and took his vineyard, and God judged them.

Give and you shall receive. You give as God is leading you, not by response to the takers and their manipulation. It is always according to what you have, not to what you don’t have. It’s not he who gives much money who is spiritual, but he who does the will of God. Jesus said, I only do what I see My Father doing.

Barzillai, in 2 Sam 17, was a great man, and he also was a giver. He provided for David and his company when they were in the wilderness, fleeing from Absolam. 2 Sam 17:28,...beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness.

But the greatest givers of all are the Father and His Son Jesus Christ: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever lives and believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. God gave His beloved Son to die for us; Jesus willingly gave His life for us, and shed His Blood to deliver us from our sins and from death. Others have followed Jesus, and taken up their cross and died for His name-the true martyrs of Jesus. Others have suffered greatly for His name, and for the Gospel’s sake.

In 2 Sam 11, King David became a taker when he lusted after Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, and he took her for himself and killed her husband with the sword of the Ammonites.  But God confronted him through the prophet Nathan, and dealt with him and judged him, and David repented. He never went back to his vomit again. He became a great giver to the people of Israel, and to God. He gave very much of himself and his substance to the building of the Temple of God. He also gave us many wonderful songs and psalms by the Holy Spirit.

Ok, let’s turn to Luke 6:27, Jesus said, But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 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. This is how the Kingdom of God works; this is how life works. Jesus said, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you are a taker, people will be taking from you. But if you are a giver, you don’t even have to consider your needs. God will be sure that men will give unto you, according to your giving. If you give generously and graciously, like He does, according to what you have, people will be giving into your bosom; you will have an abundant life. Jesus said, Don’t even think about your life, what you need, but seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all your needs will be added to you. When you see your brother in need, let the Holy Spirit lead you in doing them good. Forgive if you have anything against anyone, and you shall be forgiven. Show love and kindness and it will be shown to you. Don’t wait for people to give to you. Do what Jesus said: Give and it shall be given; forgive and you shall be forgiven. Love God and serve Him and obey Him and He will love you and bless you. Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Who knows if they won’t change and do you good in the end. What kind of life do you want? Do you want to live in the blessing of God, or do you want to be cursed? You can manipulate people and get things from them, but you won’t be blessed; you won’t be happy. Even when we must suffer for the Lord’s sake, and do without, He will be with us: we will have what we need, and He will give us His joy, Hallelujah! In due season, if we sow righteousness and goodness, we will reap a good harvest, Amen! Just don’t let the takers deceive you into giving to them when God is not leading you to do so. Let Him lead you in giving and doing good and you will be blessed. It’s ok to say no.

I know what Jesus said, in Matt 25:31-46, about the sheep and the goats. I’ve always had fear concerning these Words, and I definitely want to feed people and give them drink when I see them in need. I definitely want to take in a stranger and give them shelter, but I have had to learn the hard way how people will manipulate you, if you let them, and you can get into a situation that is very difficult by feeling sorry for someone and doing things to help them when God is not leading you to do so. Whenever you see someone in need, you must seek the Lord, and understand what He wants you to do in the situation. Some people know very well how to manipulate Christians who have a heart to give and to help, and they are very crafty at getting you to give to them. They are takers, not givers. Many of them don’t work, and they live off of other people’s labors. That doesn’t mean that you should stop giving and helping, no! You just need to truly let God lead you by His Holy Spirit in doing so, and then it will be a blessing. Saying no to a taker is a blessing. Giving to a giver is a blessing. A real giver will do what they can to help you while you’re helping them; they will truly be thankful. So, be filled with the Spirit and give cheerfully and graciously as He leads you and you will be blessed. 

Thank you for reading this message from 15 Minutes With Jesus at roberthaymes.com . May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you who love Him in truth, Amen.