Givers and takers

. . . let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. – Ephesians 4:28

Some young children were talking about what they wanted to be when they grew up. When it was Jimmy’s turn to speak, he didn’t mention one of the more common professions like doctor, lawyer, policeman, and fireman. What he wanted to be was a philanthropist. When the other kids asked him to explain, he replied, "I heard they’re the guys who have all the money."

Jimmy was only partially right. According to the dictionary, a philanthropist is "one who loves and seeks to benefit mankind." Simply having a lot of money, then, doesn’t make one a philanthropist. In fact, a poor person who "loves and seeks to benefit mankind" out of his limited resources is more of a philanthropist than a person of great wealth who is a miser and gives grudgingly – even though the amount of his charitable gifts is large.

The apostle Paul encouraged takers to become givers. He said, "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor . . . that he may have something to give him who has need" (EPHESIANS 4:28). That kind of giving will give joy to the giver (PROVERBS 14:21).

Regardless of our income or vocation, we can all be philanthropists. – Richard W. De Haan

It’s not what you’d do with a million

If riches should e’er be your lot,

But what you are doing at present

With the dollar and quarter you’ve got. – Anon.

READ: PROVERBS 14:15-21

God gives us all we need, so we can give to those in need.