The Great Taker and the Great Giver

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy."John 10:10Satan is the great taker of what does not belong to him. He is always trying to get as much as possible, while giving as little as possible. He pays terrible wages—“the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). If you do his work, you will be terribly disappointed when you get your paycheck.But Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Satan is the great taker of what does not belong to him, but Jesus Christ is the great giver of what He already owns. Jesus did not grasp what belonged to Him, but He took the form of a servant and He poured out His life for us (Phil. 2:6-7).The gospel is more than good advice; it is good news. It is not a set of instructions on how to change; it is a new life, a new heart, the Spirit of Jesus living in you to make you different. Through the gospel, Christ changes takers into givers.Pour your life out for Him and you will have no regrets. And when you receive your reward in heaven, you will not be disappointed. You will not look around heaven and say, “Was it really worth it?” You will stand before Him in awe and wonder why you found it all so difficult. Those who trust in Him will never be put to shame (Psa. 25:3).What is one thing that makes it tempting for you to work for Satan instead of Christ?