The gift of giving is the motivation to generously share one’s self and one’s possessions to bless others and/or to further their ministry.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Characteristics
1. Could be called the ‘gift of generosity’ or ‘gift of hospitality’ which is manifested in sharing your time, home, possessions and goods to bless others in the name of Yeshua.
2. Could also be known as ‘the divine ability to make money or acquire assets’ (the more one makes, the more one has to give).
3. As the ability to sense needs that he fears others might overlook and to meet those needs very quickly.
4. Enjoys meeting the needs of others through the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
5. The giver prefers to remain anonymous, not letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing, Matthew 6:3-4
6. Giver depends on his partner’s witness to determine the amount of the gift.
7. Giver desires to be a part of the work or ministry he/she feels called to support.
8. Is know for his good stewardship of material goods. Often he lives far beneath his means in order to have more to give away.
9. Is especially filled with joy when the gift is in direct answer to someone’s prayer.
10. Will occasionally amass large sums of money in anticipation of a large need and then at the right time give the entire amount.
11. Faithfully ‘tithes’.
Fruit of the Spirit
Romans 12:8,13, 2 Corinthians 9:7
Reflects the nature of the Father who knows our needs and desires to meet them in a lavish kind of way. To give sincerely is to give with purity of motive, as unto the Lord, not to get a reward. This kind of giving automatically brings joy.
Temptations to Avoid
1. Being proud of your giving performance.
2. Measuring your spiritual success by your material assets.
3. Judging those who do not have the same spirit of generosity.
4. Wanting to subtly control those to whom you have given substantially.
5. Giving for the purpose of getting.
Problems and Misunderstandings
1. The habit of dealing with large sums of money may appear to be an improper focus on temporal values.
2. The lack of response to pressure appeals may appear as a lack of generosity or an evidence of stubbornness.
3. The personal frugality by which the giver lives may appear to friends and relatives as being unnecessary or even fanatical.
4. Generosity to those outside of blood relatives may cause offense to family members.
5. Generosity to ministries outside of a denominational family may be misread as a lack of loyalty.
Scriptural Examples
1. Yeshua, “though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor that we, through his poverty might be rich,” 2 Corinthians 8:9
2. Abraham, was rich in cattle, silver and gold, dealt generously with Lot, giving him the choice land, was the first recorder ‘tither’, was willing to offer Isaac upon the altar, Genesis 13, 14
3. Macedonians, economically poor, they gave liberally Jerusalem, gave themselves to the Lord first, were used by Paul to stimulate a like gift of giving among the Corinthians, 2 Corinthians 8, 9
General Counsel and Application
The vast needs of the Body of Messiah today require a release of treasure from among the wealthy saints. “Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who richly gives us all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate” (1 Timothy 6:17-18). We need to pray that the gifts of knowledge and wisdom will be released into the hands of believers who have the gift of giving. By supernatural wisdom they can seize opportunities for lawful profit in the world’s marketplace. Many anointed ministries that have been forced to labor outside the confines of the institutional church or who have been called by God to serve outside denominational capacities are supported by those with the gift of giving.
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©2013 Tentstake MInistries Publishing with The Keys to Church Harmony, 1983