preacherman

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?

What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well said!

9:59 AM  
Blogger Debra said...

Hi 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.
Of 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

5:22 PM  
Blogger Paul G said...

Give and Take;
What 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

6:52 AM  
Anonymous Laymond said...

Paul, asks a question, then answers it. wrongly I might add but he answers anyway.

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!

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.

8:25 AM  
Blogger preacherman said...

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?

1:06 AM  
Anonymous laymond said...

Personal sacrifice is giving what you would like to keep.

7:51 AM  
Blogger preacherman said...

I like that Laymond. Well said.

8:51 AM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

gucci outlet, louboutin outlet, longchamp handbags, tory burch outlet, longchamp outlet, true religion jeans, louis vuitton outlet, air max, oakley sunglasses, louis vuitton outlet, louis vuitton, jordan shoes, burberry outlet, tiffany and co, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet, kate spade handbags, ray ban sunglasses, air max, oakley sunglasses, michael kors outlet, louboutin, tiffany and co, oakley sunglasses cheap, kate spade outlet, michael kors outlet, prada outlet, burberry outlet, michael kors outlet, nike shoes, coach factory outlet, nike free, louboutin, polo ralph lauren outlet, louis vuitton outlet stores, chanel handbags, christian louboutin shoes, prada handbags, michael kors outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, coach purses, michael kors outlet, coach outlet store online, true religion jeans, ray ban sunglasses, longchamp handbags, coach outlet

8:59 PM  
Blogger oakleyses said...

lancel, canada goose, timberland boots, pandora charms, thomas sabo, moncler outlet, hollister, canada goose, moncler, hollister clothing store, converse, ray ban, louis vuitton, rolex watches, iphone 6 cases, oakley, juicy couture outlet, vans, karen millen, pandora jewelry, ugg, moncler, air max, supra shoes, swarovski crystal, swarovski, pandora charms, moncler, moncler, converse shoes, gucci, ugg, louboutin, montre homme, air max, hollister, coach outlet store online, links of london, baseball bats, juicy couture outlet, ralph lauren, parajumpers, moncler, toms shoes, wedding dresses, moncler

9:31 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

sac guess, coach factory outlet, new balance pas cher, air force, kate spade handbags, nike roshe run, hogan, michael kors, kate spade outlet, oakley pas cher, ray ban pas cher, true religion jeans, burberry, coach purses, vans pas cher, michael kors, north face, longchamp pas cher, air jordan pas cher, chanel handbags, coach outlet, north face, hollister, true religion jeans, louboutin pas cher, ralph lauren pas cher, tn pas cher, michael kors, nike blazer, coach outlet, sac longchamp, true religion outlet, nike free, michael kors, lacoste pas cher, air max, hollister pas cher, converse pas cher, lululemon, timberland, nike air max, true religion jeans, vanessa bruno, ray ban uk, hermes

3:47 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

2015-10-5 leilei
Coach Diaper Bag Outlet
louis vuitton outlet stores
abercrombie store
hollister clothing
nike air max 90
Jordan 4 Shoes For Sale
Authentic Air Jordan 13 shoes for sale
coach factory outlet
ugg boots sale
Air Jordan 6 Champagne Bottle
Michael Kors Handbags Clearance Outlet
Cheap Ray Ban Wayfarer
Jordan 3 Retro 2015
timberland outlet
Coach Outlet Online Discount Sale
michael kors outlet
canada goose jackets
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet online
Michael Kors Outlet Online Deals Huge

6:41 AM  
Blogger eric yao said...

Coach Outlet Online
Coach Bags
Coach Nomad Hobo In Glovetanned Leather
Crossbody Bags
Coach Crosby Carryall In Leather Crossbody Bags Macys Sale
Coach City Knitted Medium Brown Totes
Coach Accordion Zip In Saffiano Large Black Wallets


Coach Logo Monogram Small Grey Backpacks
Coach Saddle Bag 23 In Glovetanned Leather Outlet Sale 2016
Coach Edie 28 Shoulder Bag In Polished Pebble Leather

9:51 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home