Givers have a strong tendency to be seriously concerned about financial matters. People with this gift also seem to have a special ability to obtain things. Not only do they love giving, but they also love being resourceful in obtaining more resources in order to give more. Givers are typically sensitive to how much they spend. They have the ability to manage a budget and stay with it over a long period. Making money is easy for many with this gift, although this is not always true. They tend to be conservative and careful in how they, as well as others, spend their money.
GIVING
Definition:
The gift of giving is a supernatural gift that God gives to contribute material and relational resources to the work of the Lord freely and cheerfully. This gift is not limited to money or possessions. It is best described as a person who gives of himself and everything he has to further the work of the Lord.
Purpose:
God has called all of His children to give of all of their resources. The giver has a supernatural ability to tune into the needs of the Body. Many other Body members must be told what the needs are. Not the giver! The giver is aware of needs in the body because of a special revelation from the Lord Himself.
Liabilities:
If walking after the flesh, the giver may give more than God is asking him to give, putting his personal responsibilities in jeopardy. Givers also have the tendency to bail people who are irresponsible with their finances; whereas, God wants these individuals to suffer the consequences of their poor choices.
Definition:
The gift of giving is a supernatural gift that God gives to contribute material and relational resources to the work of the Lord freely and cheerfully. This gift is not limited to money or possessions. It is best described as a person who gives of himself and everything he has to further the work of the Lord.
Purpose:
God has called all of His children to give of all of their resources. The giver has a supernatural ability to tune into the needs of the Body. Many other Body members must be told what the needs are. Not the giver! The giver is aware of needs in the body because of a special revelation from the Lord Himself.
Liabilities:
If walking after the flesh, the giver may give more than God is asking him to give, putting his personal responsibilities in jeopardy. Givers also have the tendency to bail people who are irresponsible with their finances; whereas, God wants these individuals to suffer the consequences of their poor choices.
The giver can
become perfectionistic, judgmental of those who are unwise in finances, overly
sensitive about other givers, manipulative (thinking all Christians should be
as wise as he is with finances), and extremely vulnerable (people taking
advantage of him materially).
The giver has
very little time for people who waste resources, are stingy, lack in self-discipline
and direction, and are poor stewards.
Some Guidelines for Giving:1. Giving should be done generously, not for recognition.
2. The use of the gift does not necessarily involve money.
3. Direction on how the rich should spend money is found in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
4. Givers should not give grudgingly.
5. Seek God’s guidance and don’t necessarily give to everyone who asks.
6. We are all commanded to tithe; giving is beyond tithing.
7. If you have this gift, don’t be offended when Body members lean on you for help.
8. People with this gift may find “great deals” on things that will be given to those who have need. The Body of Christ needs to rely on people with this gift.
Some Guidelines for Giving:1. Giving should be done generously, not for recognition.
2. The use of the gift does not necessarily involve money.
3. Direction on how the rich should spend money is found in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
4. Givers should not give grudgingly.
5. Seek God’s guidance and don’t necessarily give to everyone who asks.
6. We are all commanded to tithe; giving is beyond tithing.
7. If you have this gift, don’t be offended when Body members lean on you for help.
8. People with this gift may find “great deals” on things that will be given to those who have need. The Body of Christ needs to rely on people with this gift.
Some possible examples:
1. Barnabas sold land to alleviate a need, Acts 4:34-37.
2. Macedonian churches, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
3. Philippians church, Philippians 4:14-16.
4. The poor widow, Luke 21:1-4.
1. Barnabas sold land to alleviate a need, Acts 4:34-37.
2. Macedonian churches, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.
3. Philippians church, Philippians 4:14-16.
4. The poor widow, Luke 21:1-4.
Place of Service:
1. Financial committees
2. Board of Directors
3. Elder
1. Financial committees
2. Board of Directors
3. Elder
4. Deacon
5. Church supplies coordinator
5. Church supplies coordinator
6. Church treasury
7. Benevolence ministry
8. Financial planning classes
The giver
needs to be more flexible and patient, take more risks, be more understanding
with the irresponsible, and be forgiving of those who take advantage of him.
Next, we will
be reviewing the manifestation gifts, which are delivered by the sovereign hand
of God (1 Corinthians 12:11). All
Christians receive manifestations. The
more willing the Christian, the more manifestations there are for him. The less
willing the believer, the more a manifestation passes on to another who is
saying: “Lord, here am I, send me” (Is. 6:8). This
is why it appears God is picking favorites. God is not picking favorite
vessels; He simply is picking willing vessels. God is interested in getting His
work done (1 Corinthians 12:7). In
general, manifestations are given by the moment for the ministry moment. Manifestation gifts are at the disposal of
the Holy Spirit, not the believer; whereas, occupational gifts are at the
disposal of the believer (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Each of these Holy Spirit manifestations is
for the common good of the Body of Christ.
The Spirit will never use these manifestations in a believer to bring
division and fear. God uses them for the
good of the Body of Christ.
Scripture
taken from the New American Standard Bible, ©
Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The
Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
