The other day I was listening to an older talk to men by Mark Driscoll. One of the things he said struck me. “God designed men to be producers, not consumers. In this life, let’s produce like men of God.” He made the comparison between boys and men and the culture of adolescence that has caused the western male to stay a boy well into his 30s. Both Driscoll and IHOPKC’s Corey Russell have said “boys who can shave” of men who waste their time playing video games and doing just stupid things, as if they were still kids. One only has to go on YouTube to see this played out in all of its glory. While it can be humorous, it’s really a sad reflection on what has happened to manhood in America. Boys consume things. Not just food, but stuff. By and large, they are kids, so they aren’t productive members of society yet. They rely on others to give them their essentials for living. As they grow and mature, they are (or should be) taught how to fix cars, or build things, to hunt for food, to create, design and make music. They are taught how to provide for a wife and family, to save money and be reliable and honorable men. They are taught leadership skills that cause them to be producers and thus… Men.
You see, when a man learns how to be a producer, he is also learning about how to care for others. Enter the principle of giving versus taking. A man is a giver, not a taker. He is able to take the talents and abilities that have been given to Him by God and produce something that lets him give to others. I was thinking of Nick Vujicic. Here’s a guy that was born without arms or legs. He could have just been a taker – because, hey, he is disabled, right? Not this guy! He decided that his lack of arms and legs would not stop him and guess what? He plays golf and surfs and snowboards and goes all over the world giving motivational talks and hugs and sharing the gospel of Jesus too! He got married and has two kids. He didn’t fall into the consumer / taker trap, but chose instead to use his gift for a greater good and has encouraged and changed lives. He didn’t choose a “What’s in it for me” mentality, rather “What can I do for others?”
I was lucky. My father was a producer through and through. He understood the value of hard work combined with serving others. He gave when he had nothing. He gave his time and energy. In his lack, he didn’t let that stop him from helping others. He didn’t sit around idle. He taught us as kids the value of work. He taught us to get up and try. I tell this story because it makes me laugh (now). When we were younger, we got into a habit of whining “I caaaaaannnnnnnn’ttttttt” often even before trying something. Dad got fed up of this, so he took a big permanent marker and, in big letters, wrote “I CAN” on the side of the paddle which was used to discipline us. Anytime he would hear us say “I can’t” without even making an attempt to try, we would get paddled. Today, I don’t think Josh Matt and Sara ever say I can’t. We had it paddled out of us. We learned to find a way. To, as Bob Deering says, “see past the closed door and figure out a different solution.” I’m sure today that this method would be frowned on as it is not politically correct, but that’s a digression for another day.
So when I do self-checkups, I read John 15:8 — “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” I strive to be one who is both a producer and giver. This requires me to be intentional and disciplined. I pray for fathers who are charged with such a great responsibility to teach their children to be those who produce and give… and model it.