There were two categories of people in the crowds of thousands that Jesus dealt with from city to city: Protected and Parasites.

Both types of people mingled wherever Jesus went. And Jesus would instantly know what kind of person each one was the moment they got close. He knew who believed that he was in fact the Messiah and followed him to hear the necessary words of the Kingdom that he spoke. He also knew who was alone in his flock to enjoy the food he would miraculously provide or to witness the next amazing feat he would perform.

He knew who was with him to learn from him and who was with him to drain him. Jesus made reference to this in the passage about the woman with an issue of blood. When she touched it, she instantly knew that she had found true faith. He responded to her touch by asking, “who touched me… ?” as his touch was different from the dozens of other hands that pushed him.

For us, however, it is extremely difficult to differentiate the two types of people. This is because they are very similar on the surface. They both drink from you, they both need you to move forward. They both require you to give something… but their motives are very different. One will benefit you in the long run while the other, whether intentionally or unintentionally, can destroy you.

A Protege is thinner. The Webster Intermediate Student Dictionary describes a protégé as “a person who receives support and protection from another influential person who furthers his or her career.” He or she is someone whose welfare or welfare depends on the influence of another. They will withdraw from you, but the terms are training and influence for promotion. What you offer this person is not a loss but an investment that will be returned to you over time.

If you have protected in your life, be grateful; God is using you. The presence of a protégé means that there is a gift that God has given you to become a distribution center, and even he has sent you to the person or people that he wants you to distribute to. Do your best to grow the relationship. Let nothing stop you from allowing God to use you in this way, let nothing stop you from giving. You can be sure that God will reward your obedience. He will come back to you again and again for sharing the gift that He has invested in you, as you are undoubtedly a protégé of His.

A Parasite withdraws from you in a negative way. They are subtracted with no intention of redepositing. A parasite is a leech; it grows, feeds and has shelter, but it contributes nothing to the survival of its host. They take advantage of your generosity without any useful return. He or she will live on you and feed on you for years only to abandon you once there is nothing left to withdraw. They are not looking to God for a blessing through you, they are looking to you; They want your blessing.

If there is a parasite in your life, you should get rid of it immediately for two reasons. First of all, neither you nor they can benefit from this type of relationship. His methods are only to extract but one cannot grow spiritually until one learns to GIVE as he has. They may have good intentions but the relationship is not equitable; that is, unbalanced. Therefore, it will be unsuccessful. And second, worse, they’ll never get to a point where you’re satisfied and stop drinking. They will continue to deplete your resources, consume your income, and deplete any abundance until you and your finances are completely depleted. Continuous depletion without replenishment will always leave you empty.

There are several ways to distinguish between the two. One is looking to build a future with you; the other is not interested in the future… only the present and usually the past. One wants to learn what he has learned; the other only wants to have what you have. One wants what is in your heart; the other is not moved by what is in your heart… he only wants what is in your hand. One tells you: “make me“; the other says: “give to me“

Now, here’s something to watch out for…

Be careful not to make the mistake of misjudging a true man or woman of God as a parasite, it could cost you dearly. God’s anointed people will often appear in your life and require something of you. They may appear as someone there to take, but they may actually be there to give.

When Elijah visited the widow in Zarephath in 1 Kings 17, the poor widow could have easily thought that Elijah was just trying to use her. She explained that she was preparing the last of her supplies for her and her child to eat one final meal and then die. Elijah asked her to make bread for him in her place (1 Kings 17:13) and her food would not run out nor would she run out of oil. She agreed in obedience to God and as promised they ate well from that day on.

While it seemed that Elijah had come as an outsider requiring her last sustenance, it was actually her last chance to GIVE or die alone. He was sent by God’s direction to visit exactly when he did and ask her what he asked her. God had arranged his meeting with the prophet and his reward for his obedience was great.

According to the story, some time later, the woman’s son fell ill and died. But Elijah asked God to raise his son from the dead, which God did. Imagine if the woman had fired Elijah instead of giving away what she had. Not only would Elijah be gone long ago when her son died, but her food would have run out, so she would have died too.

Examine the people in your life who constantly require something from you in your family, at your job, at your school, at your church, all included. Do any of them withdraw from you with no intention of returning it? Is someone using you for their sole benefit? Do they feed on you and benefit from you but refuse to contribute in the slightest to help you grow? Make a conscious decision about each person you meet; tag them Protected gold Parasite.

More importantly, judge yourself! Who are you to the people around you? Who are you to your family? Who are you to your church? Do you want what you didn’t earn? Do you want to own things that belong to others? Are you building a future with someone or are you just chasing people to take what they win?

Who are you to God? At the end of each day, you just tell God”Bless me…” and “give to me…”? Do you ever tell him”make me… ” gold “Use me…”?

Become a protector of whom God has placed in your life to impart to you; whether it’s a father, mother, brother, sister, friend, co-worker, or even a stranger (I didn’t mention church because you’re obviously a learner in church. But too often, people just they look to church for guidance when God is not confined to church walls nor are their only office hours Sunday, 11-1p).

There is an anointed man or woman somewhere who has been assigned to you and your next level will only come through association with them.

Then, when God entrusts you with a protégé, give to that person freely, even if it creates a deficit. His presence is a sign that you are on the right path. The reward for his obedience will be GREATER than the cost!