Producer or Consumer?

I recently heard a teaching by pastor Mark Driscoll where he stated that God designed men to be producers, not consumers. In fact, he said one of the main over-arching differences between a boy and a man is that a boy consumes and a man produces.

Then on Sunday, I heard pastor Pete Wilson make the statement that we should focus on giving, not getting.

Biblically, this all makes total sense and ties together nicely.

Here’s a very tough, but simple challenge for us all this week . . .

Daily, maybe hourly, let’s ask ourselves two questions:

In this marriage, relationship, friendship, career, job, business deal, church, ministry, setting, or situation, am I focused on . . .

1—Producing or consuming?

2—Giving or getting?

It may be scary how often we realize that we are focused on “what’s in this for me?” It may be scarier still if we realize we are trying to make consuming look like producing. Or a “get” look like a gift. Actually, our flesh can get fairly good at that disguise.

So, what do we do if we discover our motives and goals are completely off with someone or in an area of life?

We may need to . . .

. . . ask God to forgive.

. . . ask forgiveness from someone.

. . . put an end to a situation, relationship, or business deal.

. . . get some counseling or pastoral help.

. . . put some principles in place.

. . . create some accountability.

. . . change some policies.

. . . say no to something.

. . . say yes to something.

. . . ask God for wisdom.

This week, let’s give. In this life, let’s produce, like men of God.

When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. —Jesus in John 15:8 NLT