The Gift Of Giving

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The spiritual gift of giving, “If it is to give, then give generously.”

Romans 12:8 NIV

As I sat in the pew in our church in Houston, my ten-year-old son whispered in my ear, “Mom, how many weeks are in a year?” Confused why he would ask, I quietly responded, “52.” I looked down to see he was filling out a tithing card for $52.00. My heart melted as I watched him fill out the form when he looked back at me and asked, “Do you think I can do this?”

This was one of many of the proud mama moments I witnessed as my son gave, driven by his sense of obedience. When we lived in Orlando, he would grab one of his snacks out of his snack bin to give to the homeless man that sat across from the church. I have watched the gift of giving pour out of my son since he was very young and now I see it as he has matured into an incredibly generous man.

God gives each of us gifts and to some, that gift is generosity. These people give when they have plenty and they give when they have little. It is in their DNA to live life with an eye out for who they can give to.

Biblical Teachings On Giving

Throughout scripture, we see where generosity provided for Kingdom purposes. We read in Exodus 25 where the Israelites bring their gifts to build the tabernacle. King David gave out of his abundance for his son Solomon to build the temple.

“The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece.”

Exodus 25:1-7 NIV

In the new testament, we read of Mary and Joseph receiving gifts from the wise men. Little did they know these gifts would provide for them when God would send them to Egypt to spare Jesus from being murdered under Harrod’s decree to kill all the babies. In Acts 2, we find the people stirred by the Holy Spirit to sell their property so everyone could stay and be part of what was happening.

“They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”

Acts 2:45 NIV

Give Freely

The generosity of others has provided for my family in so many ways. When money got tight, a check would show up. Generous friends gave us vacations. I would never have received the treatments I needed for Lyme Disease had it not been for the generosity of others. And my daughter is fulfilling her call as a missionary because of all of your generosity. You can learn more about that here.

We are all called to give. Jesus tells His disciples, “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-9 NIV).

We are still His disciples and called to do these things. We should live our lives expecting to serve God in these ways, but some of us are given gifts to serve profoundly in specific ways. Jesus finishes this statement with ‘give freely.’

Time

How can you give? You can give your time. As I shared last week on serving (you can read that here) when we serve, we are giving others our time. Examples of this are shopping for someone who is homebound, visit with someone who does not get visitors, or drive someone to a doctor’s appointment.

Talents

We can give of our talents. This too can double with serving. If you are a carpenter and someone needs help to fix something, then use the talents God has given you. If you have a hobby that can serve others, then provide in that way. One example is making blankets for the homeless.

Tithe

We can give from our abundance. Even when we have little, it is still an abundance to many others. That abundance can be financial, giving a monetary gift where the Lord prompts you to give. This can be food at a food drive, serving in a soup kitchen, or providing meals for someone. If you travel a lot, it can be from an abundance of air miles. My husband was recently speaking with someone who had not seen their mom in over five years because they could not afford a flight. The Lord prompted him to share of his air miles and the huge smile that came across this young mans face after seeing his mom was priceless.

Sacrificial Giving

Where has God given you an abundance and may prompt you to share? We all have something to give. I encourage you to ask God to show you where you can give and who may need the gift you have to offer. The answer might surprise you.

Sometimes we are called like the widow in Luke 21, to not give from our abundance but from the little we have. Giving is sacrificial. God knows the depths in which we give and He knows the sacrifice you take to give what you have. When we give in accordance to the Holy Spirit’s leading, we have the privilege of partnering with God in providing for those He loves.

Store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

Matthew 6:19-20 NIV