Be A Giver And Not A Taker
Posted By Aaron Marcelli on June 7, 2012
Sometimes I hear people talking about something they read when they will say something jumped off the page at them. This always sounded weird……until it happened to me.
I was reading a relationships book, and I don’t even remember what the chapter was about. But suddenly I read the sentence:
“Be a giver and not a taker.”
I then realized what others meant when saying something they read jumped at them. This sentence grabbed me. I was stuck on it. I read it repeatedly, realizing I want to be this. I want to be a giver. I want to be marked by generosity. When I pass, I would like others to remember me for what I gave rather than what I took.
I decided to become intentional about trying to give more than I get. It’s our nature to take, get, and accumulate. We all want to leave the county fair with a big bag fool of trinkets. We all show up for a community event that advertises “Free……” We all naturally take, accept, and accumulate. In deciding I wanted the reverse to be true of me I began to notice that some of my friends are great examples of being givers and not takers.
A couple in our small group recently had a baby. When we told them we wanted to make them dinner and drop it off they told us, “We love you guys and would rather have you come have dinner with us and get to see the baby.” Another couple from church is in a temporary living situation and tight on money, but rather than making excuses they were generous in inviting us to their home for a dinner they made for us (notice how all my stories involve food).
Seeing this trait of giving in the lives of those around me makes me want to develop this unnatural habit in my own life. Joy and generosity seem to accompany each other. I’m working to find ways in my own life to give to others, and in doing so be more joyful so I may give that as well.
What stories (related to food or not) do you have of those you know being givers and not takers?
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