SHEPHERDS OF THE LOST

Spiritual Gift: Giving

WHAT IS The Gift of GIVING?

The gift of giving is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR this Gift

Tap each verse to read it. Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are in the English Standard Version.

ROMANS 12:8

the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

MARK 12:41-44

And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”

2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-7

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. 6 Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

2 CORINTHIANS 6-8

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.


IN THE GREEK

METADIDOMI

Strong's Number: 3330
To give, share, impart.


SUGGESTED POTENTIAL STRENGTHS & CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS GIFT

  • Ability to make wise purchases and investments in order to set aside more resources for the Lord (Matthew 25:14-23).
  • Desire to give quietly to effective ministries and projects (Matthew 6:4).
  • Hopes to use giving to motivate others to give (Luke 6:38).
  • Alertness to valid needs he fears others may overlook (Proverbs 19:7; 22:9).
  • Enjoyment in meeting needs without pressure of appeals (Matthew 10:8).
  • Experiences joy when gift is an answer to another’s prayer (2 Corinthians 9:7).
  • Takes care to give gift of the highest quality they can (Matthew 2:11; Luke 7:37, 38).
  • Desire to feel a part of the work or person to whom they give (Luke 8:1-3; Acts 4:37).
  • Readiness to give regularly; often above and beyond their tithe (2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).


SUGGESTED POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES & WARNINGS OF THIS GIFT

  • May appear to focus on temporal values.
  • Desire to give to a ministry may appear as attempt to control the work or person.
  • Attempt to encourage others to give may appear as a lack of generosity and unnecessary pressure.
  • Lack of response to pressure appeals may appear to be lack of generosity.
  • Living personally frugal may appear to others as selfishness in not meeting friends’ or relatives’ needs.
  • Giving out of hope for big gain might cross line of trusting God to forcing Him.
  • Potential temptation to abuse this gift to receive preferential treatment.

SUGGESTED WAYS TO SERVE BASED ON THIS GIFT

  • Benevolent Ministries
  • Finance Committee
  • Church Treasurer
  • Sponsoring
    • Missionaries
    • Families in crisis
    • Individuals in need
  • Providing meals or lodging
  • Missions
  • Relief Agencies
  • Raising funds
  • Board or Committee Member
  • Prayer Group Member
  • Worker Appreciation Coordinator

GOOD BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

MATTHEW & ABRAHAM

RETURN TO FULL GIFT LISTING

*The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.