How to Have the Best Year Everنموونە

Be a Giver, Don't Be a Taker

There's a bumper sticker that says, "He who dies with the most toys, wins." Very, very few people have that bumper sticker on their car, but there are many people that seem to live by that motto. We often are like the man that Jesus spoke about, who was very rich but wanted to have even more. He "tore down his barns and built bigger barns" so he would be able to accumulate even greater wealth. Jesus said that this man was a fool. He died before he could enjoy his great wealth, but that is only a small part of how this man is a fool. He devoted his life to pursuing what ultimately can't satisfy and has no eternal value. He wasted his life in the pursuit of "more toys." He is a stark example of another bumper sticker that reads, "He who dies with the most toys….is dead."

The Bible says a lot about the empty pursuit of riches and how worldly wealth is temporary and uncertain. We could have a long Bible study, looking at many passages that teach us how trying to get more and more for ourselves is a snare that will ultimately harm us. I also want to focus on what's on the other side of this equation - generosity. The Bible also teaches us to be joyful and extravagant givers.

First and foremost, we are challenged to imitate Christ. We are to follow in His steps and look to Him as our model and example for living. Philippians 2 clearly shows that Jesus was a giver, not a taker. It says that though Jesus was equal with God the Father, He did not try to hang on to His glory. Instead, He took on human flesh and lived as a man in this fallen world. He dwelt with us, as us, tempted at all points as are we, yet without sin. He was even willing to do so, completely giving Himself that He died on the cross for us.

All of this doesn't mean that we must immediately run out and try to figure out how we can die for someone else, but it does mean that we should approach life and our relationships seeking to be givers rather than takers. Philippians 2:3-4 says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." This is an exhortation to be givers, not takers. The very next verse says that we should have the same attitude that Jesus had, as He gave Himself for us.

We know that sometimes great spiritual truths may not seem to make logical sense, but that is because God's ways are many times beyond us. Jesus said that the One who seeks to save his own life would lose it, but the One who will lose his life for Jesus' sake will find it. A truly remarkable year happens when we are focused on others, not ourselves.

Be a giver, not a taker.