Warriors are Givers

Warriors are givers.

Givers seek out ways to be helpful and give to others. Takers focus on getting as much as possible from everyone around them.  A Giver is always looking for ways they can be of assistance to others.  A Taker is always trying to figure out what they can get out of any situation.  A Giver is spiritually developed, while a Taker is spiritually immature.  A Giver listens.  A Taker does not.  A Giver desires to make a difference, while a Taker wants to understand what’s in it for them.  Givers see the hand of God in people and in circumstances,  Takers seek attention for themselves.  Givers give 110% 150% of the time.  Takers do not giver their all and often whine about their schedules.  A Giver enriches the lives of the people they meet, while a Taker can be draining.  Givers are a happy people.  Takers are not.

No wonder Jesus said Givers are blessed!  Paul referred to something Jesus said, “… remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35)

Be a Giver!  Givers create happiness for themselves and others.  The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein is one of the best children’s stories.  It is the story of the interaction between a tree and a boy.  The Boy is a Taker.   He is always looking for the Tree to give him something.  The Boy wants to climb and play on the Tree.  He takes the apples the Tree produces and sells them to make money.  As the Boy grows he needs wood to build a house.  He asks the Tree to provide more.  The Tree is happy to share and to provide.  The Boy cuts down the branches of the Tree.  The giving and taking continues until the Boy is an old man.  All that is left is a stump for him to rest on.  This story is brilliant!  This story perfectly teaches that there is great happiness in giving and sadness in taking.

Oh the symbolism!

We are all Takers looking to the Great Giver, a Giver who gave His life on a Tree for us, trying to learn to follow His example and become Givers!

Warriors are Givers!

My parents taught me the truth in this principle.

“Give,” Said the Little Stream (Children’s Songbook, #236)

“Give,” said the little stream,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill;
“I’m small, I know, but wherever I go
The fields grow greener still.”

Singing, singing all the day,
“Give away, oh! give away.”
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give, oh! give away.”

“Give,” said the little rain,
“Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.”
“Give,” said the little rain,
As it fell upon the flow’rs;
“I’ll raise their drooping heads again,”
As it fell upon the flow’rs.

Singing, singing all the day,
“Give away, oh! give away.”
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give, oh! give away.”

Give, then, as Jesus gives,
Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.
Give, then, as Jesus gives;
There is something all can give.
Do as the streams and blossoms do:
For God and others live.

Singing, singing all the day,
“Give away, oh! give away.”
Singing, singing all the day,
“Give, oh! give away.”

Words: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820–1915;  Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816–1868. Arr. © 1989 IRI

The desire to sustain inner peace requires a giving attitude.  My parents taught me to be a “giver;” a giver of my time, money, love and compassion.  They taught me to ask myself am I giving more than I am receiving.

Warriors are Givers!