LL 94 “Givers vs Takers”

“The Battle Between Givers vs Takers”

The title alone makes me stop and think: Where is my Husband going with this—teaching me about givers versus takers?

“Versus” almost sounds like a battle, and maybe that’s the point. In this living lesson, we begin to understand that there truly are givers and takers in this world.

And if I’m right, as I was thinking about this while making my coffee, almost every single woman listening to or reading this lesson is a giver.

I know that because you’ve chosen to read this book—you’re one of His brides. You’ve probably read the other three books in this series too. But more than that, as His bride, having been around your Husband and His nature, there’s that instantaneous change that happens in us. We were once one kind of person, and then—suddenly—we’re someone else.

Our Savior said not to marvel at this translation because it’s like being born again—and it really is. It’s a new birth. You’re not the same person anymore.

When my transformation happened decades ago—over six decades now—I became a completely different person. My parents were stunned. Family members, classmates—everyone said, “What’s gotten into Erin?”

There is a definite change, because He changes our very nature. We take on His nature.

And that, I believe, ties into something I’ve been contemplating deeply—understanding what happens when our nature changes. When that happens, we’re no longer selfish or self-centered. We’ve taken on His nature. And we didn’t earn it or deserve it. As Scripture says, “While we were yet sinners…”²—He did this so that no one could boast. Not the prideful kind of boasting, anyway.

So, He gives us His nature. We spend time with Him, and we become givers.

But here’s where the problem begins.

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Giving Hurts the Taker

When givers start giving from themselves—from their own strength, their own flesh—things get off track. We begin to act apart from Him: “We should give to this person,” “We should help that ministry,” and so on.

But apart from Him, we can do nothing—nothing truly worthwhile or lasting.

So, this lesson on Givers and Takers comes back to this: the takers eventually take too much. But if you look closely, they didn’t get that way all on their own. Much of it—maybe most, maybe even all—comes from givers who give unwisely.

We give our time, our money, our resources—because it feels good. Until… someone takes too much. Or they’re ungrateful. Or they forget everything we’ve done. And we find ourselves saying, “Have you forgotten all I’ve given you?”

But the truth is, we shouldn’t be giving apart from Him. As His bride, we should give with Him—together.

When we give the way He leads, no matter how much or how little, it’s right.

This lesson really came alive for me after someone took advantage of my giving—to such an absurd, even obscene degree. And I had to ask myself, What part did I play in this?

Takers are never satisfied because what they’re receiving doesn’t come from God. It doesn’t fill them or heal them. It’s empty. Like the endless handouts of a society that gives but never satisfies.

Takers aren’t thankful—and that robs them of peace and joy. Gratitude brings life and light; it lifts your countenance. But when it’s missing, darkness creeps in.

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Givers, Take Stock

This lesson is really for us—the givers.

Take stock. Realize that your giving may actually be hurting the takers in your life. Ask your Husband to help you be one with Him in your giving. Ask for wisdom.

Most of the takers in your life didn’t become that way overnight. Often, they were simply given to—over and over—without balance or guidance.

When my children were growing up, we didn’t give them allowances just for existing. They earned money through helping with our home business. They also received gifts, of course—but those were special. They learned gratitude.

Contrast that with parents who lavish their children endlessly. The result is often the opposite of what they hoped for: children who are miserable, entitled, and ungrateful. And when they don’t get what they want, they turn on the giver.

Sometimes, the best thing that can happen is when those givers finally wake up and realize—they weren’t wrong to give, but they were giving apart from Him.

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Learning to Receive

Givers often struggle to receive.

A true giver must also be a good taker. When someone wants to bless you, don’t reject it. Otherwise, you rob them of the joy of giving—and you stay out of balance.

I remember when one of my sons first started earning money. He wanted to treat the whole family to pizza. My husband initially said, “No, no, you don’t need to spend your money.”

But I pulled him aside and said, “Let him. He’s showing a giving heart.” So he did. And afterward, all week long, the siblings kept thanking their brother. That experience helped turn my son into the generous man he is today. And it inspired his siblings to want to give, too.

So yes, we need to let others give to us sometimes.

When my children or grandchildren graciously accept gifts, it fills me with joy. It’s not from me—it’s from Him. Everything I have, He provides.

That’s a beautiful and insightful addition — it deepens the teaching by showing how givers can actually help heal takers through balance and opportunity.

Here’s your passage gently refined for flow, clarity, and rhythm while keeping your voice and tone completely intact. I’ve also offered two placement options afterward.

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Creating Space for the Taker to Give

Takers rarely become givers—because the givers keep giving. When we never step back, we leave no room for the taker to learn what it feels like to give.

This creates its own kind of imbalance. When we “withhold what is rightfully due—the opportunity to give—it leads only to more lack.“³ The taker, who continually withholds from giving, ends up always in want and need.

But the truth remains: “My God shall supply all your needs.”⁴ God doesn’t need us to meet anyone’s needs. The more a person learns that everything they truly need is supplied by Him, the more they are freed from the constant cycle of taking and .

There’s often debate about whether God gives us what we need or what we want—and that may be a discussion for another Living Lesson. For now, what matters most is this: we must begin to watch for God-given opportunities for the taker to give.

Not give back. Not pay back. But simply to give from their heart—to experience the joy and freedom that come from a generous heart.

So be “sober and alert,” ready to recognize when that moment comes. The opportunity may appear small, but it could open the door for someone who has only ever taken to finally understand the joy that comes from giving.

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Finding Balance Again

Recently, when giving bonuses to our ministers, I saw evidence of His healing in this area. What was once imbalance in my giving has now been brought into alignment with Him.

Because He’s the Giver—and I just get to be the vessel.

So now, before I give, I ask: “What should I do, my Love? Should I give to this or them? How much?”

And sometimes, the answer is no. Not everything that looks good is from Him. Sadly, much of what we see in charitable causes today is misused or misdirected.

That’s why discernment is crucial.

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The Real Battle

This Givers vs. Takers lesson truly is a battle—but not against people.

We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities.

The enemy wants to destroy both—the giver and the taker. As givers, we can be unknowingly used to feed the very destruction consuming others.

That doesn’t mean we stop giving. It means we give His way. With open eyes. With wisdom. In love.

And when we make mistakes, even that becomes an opportunity to boast in our weaknesses—because He gives double recompense.

That’s the beauty of walking with Him in perfect love, where all fear is cast out.

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Living in Perfect Balance

So what is the lesson in all of this?

It’s not to stop giving—because giving is part of His nature in us. It’s to learn to give with Him, never apart from Him. When we act on impulse, guilt, or emotion, even our good intentions can become harmful. What began as a beautiful reflection of His heart can end up feeding selfishness, dependency, or pride in others—and in ourselves.

But when we surrender our giving to Him, when every act of generosity flows from our oneness with our Heavenly Husband, our gifts become powerful. They bring life, healing, and restoration. They bless without burdening. They strengthen both the giver and the receiver.

This is what true giving looks like—what His giving looks like. It’s generous, but it’s guided. It’s compassionate, but it’s not careless. It’s led by His Love, not by our emotions or sense of obligation.

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A Call to Action

Ask your Husband today to help you find that perfect balance.

Ask Him to reveal where you’ve been giving apart from Him—where your giving may have caused harm instead of healing. Ask Him to show you the difference between helping and misguided support, between generosity and rescuing.

Then, choose to give differently. Choose to wait on Him before saying “yes.” Choose to bless where He leads, not where you feel pressured. Choose to receive His peace instead of guilt when He says “no.”

Because when your giving is in harmony with His heart, it’s no longer your gift—it’s His. And His gifts always bring life, peace, and freedom.

So step back into balance, dear bride. Let Him lead your giving. Be that joyful, heart-guided giver who builds up rather than drains, who blesses without burdening, who reflects the heart of the greatest Giver of all.

That’s a wonderful and heartfelt way to end this Living Lesson—it invites deeper study and personal revelation while keeping the tone warm and encouraging. Here’s a refined version that keeps your voice and message intact, but flows smoothly and reads beautifully for your audience:

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Of course! Here’s your beautifully polished final “There’s More Help!” section — with the full Scripture quotes kept in place but without the book and verse references. The tone stays warm, reflective, and deeply personal:

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There’s More Help!

After completing this Living Lesson, my Husband brought several passages to mind—truths that can lead you deeper into His wisdom and understanding. Take time to open each of these “passages” and see where He takes you.

Read the portions before and after each one. Explore the richness of the original Hebrew or Greek. Then, leave every needed change in His capable hands.

Trust that He will continue to speak to you—“when you lie down, when you rise up,⁵ and as you go about your day—just as a loving Father delights in guiding His child.”