INDWELLING SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Gift Of Giving
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Sustaining The Body of Christ
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 themselves and their resources to further the work of the Lord.
Purpose:
God has called all His children to give of all 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.
Characteristics:
Givers have a strong tendency to be seriously concerned about financial matters. People with this gift seem to have a special ability to get things as well. Not only do they love giving but they also love being resourceful in obtaining more resources to give more. Givers are typically sensitive to how much they spend. They can 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.
Liabilities:
If walking after the flesh, the Giver can give more that God is asking them to give, putting their personal responsibilities in jeopardy. They also have the tendency to bail people that are irresponsible with their finances. God wants these individuals to suffer the consequences of their poor choices, and the Giver tends to bail them out.
The Giver might be a perfectionist, judgmental of those who are unwise in finances, overly sensitive about other givers, manipulative (thinking all Christians should be as wise as they are with finances) and they can become extremely vulnerable (people taking advantage of them materially).
Note:
The Giver has very little time for people who waste resources, are stingy, lack in self-discipline and direction and those who are poor stewards.
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 them.
Some Guidelines for Giving:
- Giving should be done generously, and not for recognition.
- The use of the gift does not necessarily involve money.
- Direction on how the rich should spend money is found in 1 Timothy 6:17-19.
- Givers should not give grudgingly.
- Seek God’s guidance, and don’t necessarily give to everyone who asks.
- We are all commanded to tithe; giving is beyond tithing.
- 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.
- Don’t be offended when body members lean on you for help.
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Occupational Gift of the Intercessor...
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