Equipped #5: The Gift Of Giving Series

EQUIPPED: Giving As A Gift

“…if it is giving, then give generously…”

Romans 12:8

Introduction

In our series on the spiritual gifts found in Romans 12 one gift that we often overlook is giving.”: the gift of giving. Paul writes, '...if it is giving, then give generously.' Let's explore what that means.

Romans 12:6-8, NLT “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

This might seem like an odd way to say it, but the Spirit of God has EQUIPPED some with the gift of giving.  I don’t know if you have considered giving as a gift. We like to be given a gift, but how is giving a gift? 

I had a friend who is now with the Lord who told me once that he was not very capable in the ways of service that so many others in the church were. But he said something I always thought was impressive. “I can work. My kids are grown and away from home. I have time and opportunity to work overtime. That allows me to give more to the church than I have ever done before.” You might not look at this guy and think he was all that spiritual, but in my mind he was gifted to give.

At the end of the day, you have a decision to make each week (or some give monthly, in relation to their income). And that decision relates to the question of blessing. Has God blessed me to be able to exercise the gift of giving? The question is YES … the amount, though, is between you and the Lord. 

At its core, giving is a matter of the heart.

1. The Heart of a Giver (Our Attitude)

The heart of a giver is focused on Jesus. The Lord said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Money and how we spend it are very personal issues. We come to realize that we have been blessed to bless. 

The heart of a giver is focused on eternal values. In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It is easy to be focused on finances and possessions to the degree that we forget that this is not the main emphasis of life. Wisdom is needed in how we view our possessions.

The heart of a giver is focused on the joy of helping. The attitude God wants us to have is to be excited to give.

2 Corinthians 9:5-7 So I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. 6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” The word “cheerful” in 2 Corinthians 9:7 is the Greek word hilaros, from which we get our English word “hilarious.” In Paul’s time, the word meant joyful, glad, and eager—not just “funny.” God calls us to give with a willing and glad heart.

A poem that was found in the December 24, 1910 issue of The War Cry, an official publication of The Salvation Army, expressed it this way:  

“It's not what you'd do with a million, 

If riches should e'er be your lot;

But what are you doing at present;

With the buck and a quarter you've got?”

2. The Model of a Giver (Christ’s Example)

A story in Mark 12 tells us that Jesus honors sacrificial giving. Mark 12:41-44 "Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." The widow gave all she had - two mites. In economic terms, she didn’t give much. In the eyes of Jesus, she gave everything. No offering to God is wasted!