SERVANT QUARTERS
with Gayle Erwin
www.servant.org

Pastor Erwin writes this just prior to Halloween...

Halloween looms a week away as I write this and a hoard of “takers” will hit the streets. I Detroit, historically, a hoard of destroyers attempt to burn the city on that night. Although I enjoy the cuteness of our neighbor’s children when they knock on the door, I marvel at how appropriately the actions relate to the holiday. This is the night dedicated to the devils, witches, hobgoblins, etc., and all those things designed to frighten and unsettle. They are all “takers."

One and two months later, Thanksgiving and Christmas bring an entirely different mood. Thanksgiving, a totally Christian type of holiday, recognizes that someone greater than all of us provided for us and we gladly honor Him with the words “Thank You.” Christmas carries the Christian theme further and we shop feverishly in order to give, give, give as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. How appropriate!

If you wish to reduce characteristics to the simplest terms, God is a giver and Satan is a taker. Jesus describes Satan and his ilk in stark terms: thief, killer, destroyer. Mindsets and even religions built around such greed and taking simply declare who their father and god truly is.

On the other hand, look at the true God’s characteristics:

“ God so loved the world that he gave….”
“ I will give you the keys to the kingdom….”
“… I will give you rest.”
“… whatever is right I will give you.”
“… the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
“ To give knowledge of salvation….”
“ To give light to those who sit in darkness….”
“… I give you the authority….”
“… how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit (Also, ‘good things’) to those who       ask Him!”
“… whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.”
“… everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you….”
“ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.”
“… He will give you another Helper….”
“ My peace I give to you…”
“… you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
“… abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness.”
“… the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
“ Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
“ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights….”
“ For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God….”
“… to many blind He gave sight.”
“ He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”
“… gave Himself a ransom for all….”

Overwhelming, isn’t it.

God did not approach this world with an offer to negotiate, only to give. I love the celebrations that surround Him.
However, I rejoice in the places where churches redeem Halloween with harvest gatherings that are safe and where the gospel is carefully shared. Some of these church gatherings have gained community approval and are attended by thousands. At these gatherings, we supplant the taking with giving.

The very nature of our Lord who so freely gave to us, prompts, even demands, that we continue in that spirit.
“ Freely you have received, freely give.”

“ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another….”

“ He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.”

Generosity will always guide the heart of the follower of Jesus.

-Gayle D. Erwin

Turning Point Counseling offers tender loving help for grieving and healing from serious emotional wounds