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DO THEY REALLY WANT YOU—OR ONLY WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THEM?

      The title of this column has been one of those questions that many of us have had to examine from time to time.  Believe it or not, those who are under the name of Jesus Christ have had to contend with this issue in a variety of places.

      Do people want you or only what you can do for them?

      If you know your KJV Bible, Jesus himself had to contend with this matter after he fed the multitudes.  They followed Him so that they could get their needs met.  They didn’t want to change their attitudes or behaviors.  These people were content to be ‘takers’ and not ‘givers.’

      Sounds a lot like today, doesn’t it?

      Since the pandemic, more and more people have decided to ‘opt’ out of a physical church presence, and head for the Internet for their worship experience.  Why?  Well, outside of the ‘fears’ associated with health reasons, folk—even Christians—get tired of churches accepting their tithes and offerings, but not ‘allowing them’ to be counted as ‘true’ members.  In short, these members are not really ‘members’ of their local church as they are ‘restricted’ by ‘more established’ members of that church.  Sure, these ‘second class members’ are good for clean-up work but are never ‘invited’ into ‘real’ fellowship—or the ranks of leadership with the ‘first class members.’  Just keep paying your tithes, shut up, and we ‘may’ let you decide on the color of the toothpicks to be ‘used’ at the next church picnic.

      No wonder church attendance continues to drop in some cities.

      But wait, there’s more!

      Folk will enter relationships on selfish grounds and are shocked to find out that the person whom they sought to ‘mooch’ off eventually comes to their senses and finds their way out of the relationship.  Better yet, you scan the Social Media scene and find video after video of people ‘wondering’ why they don’t have a romantic relationship—then they answer their own question by admitting that they are NOT willing to change themselves to meet a potential mate ‘halfway’.  In short?  They are quite content to have someone ‘do’ for them for the ‘privilege’ of being in a romantic relationship with someone.  They are content to be ‘takers’ and not ‘givers.’

      If YOU find yourself on the short end of your church, your relationship, or other areas because you are ‘only’ asked to be around because of what you ‘can’ do for others, it may be time for you to take the advice of Pastor Adrian Rogers: “Saturate the place (relationship, etc.) with your absence.”  Further, count on God—through His Word—to refresh you and lead you to people who are quite willing to give AND take—rather than just taking from you.

     Mike Ramey is a Retired Minister, KJV Bible Teacher, syndicated columnist and Bible Prophecy Specialist who lives in Indianapolis, Indiana.  “The Quick Scan” is one of a variety of his columns appearing and abounding in print and cyberspace, written from a biblical, business, and common-sense perspective since 1996.  To drop him a line—or a whine—the address is still the same: mgmikeramey@yahoo.com.  ©2024 Barnstorm Communications International.