How would a Church Body survive without Givers? Apostle Matthew was probably a Giver. He is the only Gospel writer who emphasized secret giving. He also the only writer who mentioned "the treasures" brought by teh Magi; he described Mary's ointment as "very precious" and described Joseph's tomb as "new".
1. Givers are able to see Resources.
A giver has the ability to discern with investments. His motivation is to use assets of time, money, and possessions to advance the work of the Lord. If a person with the gift of Giving has limited funds, he is still able to use his ability to recognize available resources and draw upon them when needed.
...but a Giver is tempted to hoard resources for self.
The fear of the Lord is the key to effective use of the gift. One way we learn the fear of the Lord is by regular giving. If a giver stops exercising his gift, not only will he begin to lose his fear of the Lord, but his practice of storing up will cause him to become stagnant.
2. A Giver invests self, then his gift.
A Giver needs continuous reassurance that his decisions are in God's will, whether he has little or much to give. To achieve this, he will first give himself and then his gift to the Lord.
... but a Giver can use his gift to control people.
A giver has a desire to make sure that his gifts are wisely invested and used. He will often buy a quality item to donate rather than give the money for it. However, if items are purchased or projects are sponsored by a giver, he may be viewed as using his gifts to control lives and ministries.
3. A Giver desires to give high-quality gifts.
The Giver's ability to discern value motivates him to provide quality gifts. He wants them to last.
...but a Giver can force higher living standards on others.
If a giver's focus is more on the quality of the gift rather than on the need, he can cause the receiver to be dissatisfied with the quality of other things he owns. A giver could also excuse personal luxuries on the basis that he is generous with his money. However, when he is not faithful in little, God will not trust him with much.
4. A Giver hopes his giving answers prayers.
A Giver who is in fellowship with the Lord will be prompted to give even when a need is not obvious. The ultimate confirmation that his gift was according to God's will comes when he learns that it fulfilled an unknown need or answered a special prayer.
...and a Giver can feel guilty about his personal assets.
A Giver who is not in fellowship with the Lord will begin to feel guilt as he stores up funds. Even is he is preparing for a special need, he must have the reassurance from the Lord that his plans are according to God's will.
5. A Giver desires to give secretly.
Just as the giver looks to the Lord for direction, so he wants recipients to look to the Lord for provision. The giver knows that the future reward is more valuable than present praise; therefore, he will give quietly and often anonymously.
....but a Giver tends to reject pressure appeals.
If a giver reacts to all appeals for funds and looks only for the hidden and unannounced needs, he may fail to recognize the Lord's direction. He may also miss and important opportunity to give wise counsel or needed funds to a worthy ministry.
6. A Giver is concerned that giving will corrupt.
A mature giver understands the destructiveness of the love of money. He is very aware that the disciplines that God taught him in acquiring assets may not have been learned by those who need his assistance. Therefore, he looks for ways of giving that avoid dependency, slothfulness, or extravagance.
...but a Giver can give too sparingly to family.
The frugality of a giver is often extended to his wife and children. However, if he does not show the same concern, care, and delight in meeting their needs as he does in meeting others' needs, they will react to his generosity.
7. A Giver exercises personal thriftiness.
The personal assets that the giver has are often the result of consistent personal frugality while being content with the basics. A giver will always be concerned about getting the best buy, not with how much he has left. He will spend extra effort in saving money and being resourceful with what he has left.
...but a Giver can tend to give to project vs. people.
If a Giver loses his focus of meeting the needs of people, he may be unduly attracted to projects. The emphasis of Scriptural giving is distributing to the necessity of the saints. Paul's collection was for the needy Christians.
8. A Giver uses gifts to multiply giving.
The motivation of a giver is to encourage others to give. He wants them to experience the joy and spiritual growth that come by sacrificial giving. The Giver may provide matching funds or the last payment in order to encourage others to give.
...but it may cause people to look to him rather than God.
When a giver lets others know what he is giving, he will cause many to turn their attention from the Lord to him. He also risks the danger of attracting people with wrong motives.
9. A Giver confirms amount with counsel.
A Giver reacts to pressure appeals. He looks instead for financial needs that others tend to overlook. A husband who has the gift of giving will often confirm the amount that he should give by seeing if his wife has the same amount in mind.
...but a Giver can wait too long to give.
If a giver is not instantly obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, he may lose the joy of seeing God accomplish a miraculous provision through him. The one who was to receive the gift will also be denied the opportunity of seeing God provide funds precisely when needed.
Are you a Giver or do you know some Givers?
We have been richly blessed by "Givers" in our lives. And like all the other gifts....we are all to give. We should all be looking for ways to give to others and it may not always be just with money.
Who will you give to today?
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