The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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Purpose: Advancement of God’s work
THE GIFT OF GIVING (Rom. 12:8)
Definition: “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.” 12
Prerequisite
• With generosity (Rom. 12:8; II Cor. 8:2; 9:5-6,11,13).
• With simplicity (privately or secretly) and not for show (Mt. 6:3), not to give with
double meaning or wrong motivation, nor to make someone think well of us for doing
it or to get our own way (II Cor. 8:2; 9:11,13). We are to give genuinely.
• Considered a privilege, not an obligation (II Cor. 8:4).
• Done to meet human need (Eph. 4:28) and bring glory to God (I Cor. 10:31; II Cor.
9:11-13), not to receive a blessing. Even though the Bible clearly teaches that when
we honor God with our possessions, abilities, talents and gifts that He will abundantly
bless us (Mal. 3:10-12; Lk. 6:38; II Cor. 9:6; Gal. 6:7-9), this should not be our
primary motivation. We are warned about such motivation (I Cor. 13:3). Love for
God and mankind must be our primary motivation. Giving, in fact, is a test of the
sincerity of our love (II Cor. 8:8). We can give without loving (I Cor. 13:3), but we
cannot love without giving. Earnestness in giving reveals that our love is real.
Anything less is insincere love.
• Cheerfully and not out of a sense of mere obligation (II Cor. 9:7).
• With wisdom.
• Proportionately. We are to give “according to our means” (II Cor. 8:11-15). By
doing this all of God’s children will have their needs supplied (Lk. 3:11). Those who
have much should give much and those who have little should give what they can. To
who much has been given much is required (Lk. 12:48). Generosity is measured not by
how much we give, but by how much we have left (Mk. 12:41-44; II Cor. 8:2). The
exercise of giving is not dependent on great prosperity. Therefore, anyone can give
. . . something. While the tithe is a good guideline for all Christians to follow (Mt.
23:23), it is very inadequate for those to whom much has been given. A tithe in such a
case hardly requires any kind of sacrifice at all. And sacrifice is required of our giving
(II Cor. 8:2-3). Giving is to cost. For some people, giving that costs would have to be
in the 30%, 40%, 50% category or more.
God has pledged to meet all our needs “according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Phil.
4:19) when we are faithful in our stewardship to Him (Phil. 4:16-18).