The Giver
Luke 6:38  Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--
given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets 
generosity." 
	It seems that life begins with a whole lot of getting. You're given your first 
gazillion meals without having to do much at all. You are given a body, mind, and spirit 
and the potential to do many incredible things with them. Clothes are, of course, given 
with many changes taking place throughout the day as needed. A bath is given and how 
wonderful it feels to be squeaky clean. All the practical things are given without 
particular notice, but then the gift is presented that really becomes the focus– the toys. 
First of all just a few spinning and bouncy figures above the bed, or a rattle that can be 
stuffed in the mouth. Then, though, they become more and more elaborate, with bigger 
and bigger price tags. 
	For every single thing that is received, though, there is someone associated with 
it– the giver, the one who gave up something of their own to provide something for you. 
As life progresses, there is normally a transformation from only getting, as the role of the 
giver is taken on. For life as a whole to go on, in fact, there must be constant participation 
in this process. 
	Life in Christ is very similar, in that entrance into His life cannot take place 
without first receiving the free gift of life in Him. There is a daily provision of all that we 
need as we are clothed in righteousness, given our daily bread, and even shown a few 
toys. For life to progress as intended in His design, however, the transformation to the 
giver needs to take place. Not just giving to provide a flow of more receiving, either, but 
the giving like a mother, with only passion for the provision of her child. 
	While becoming a giver may seem to be just a natural progression,  in Christ it is 
something that only takes place by associating with and observing the true Giver of life. 
Just as the way to being kind is to observe the Father as stated in verse 36, "Our Father is 
kind; you be kind." , so learning the way of the giver takes place as the Father is 
worshiped and honored. As He is lifted up in importance and priority, everything we've 
been given becomes an object of giving itself, and a means by which the needs of another 
may be provided. To know Him is to know transformation from a "getting" obsession to 
a "giving" one, to be like Him– a giver.