The Gift of Giving
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
So after a few weeks of not being able to be here, we are back with our Gift Giver series.
Me have already covered the gifts of prophesy, ministry, teaching, and exhortation, and tonight we will be covering the gift of giving.
Let’s start by reading our text in Romans 12:4-8
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
The Gift of Giving
The Gift of Giving
When you think about this gift, what comes to mind?
Let’s take this gift and analyze it in the same way we have with all the others by first discussing what it is, what the characteristics are, and what the dangers are.
What Is the Gift of Giving?
What Is the Gift of Giving?
The word “give” in our passage, is a Greek word that means: give, share and grant. It means to divide something among many; to give everything its place, to distribute or manage. Someone with the gift of giving is one that has the ability to give for the support and advancement of the ministry, so that the Gospel can continue its course successfully.
The person with this gift is motivated to give in order to see the ministry grow and advance.
What Are the Characteristics of the Gift of Giving?
What Are the Characteristics of the Gift of Giving?
To better understand the characteristics of this gift, we are going to look at the Apostle Matthew for our example of this gift.
Matthew is the only one of the gospel writers that records the parable of the man that was forgiven much but refused to forgive a fellow servant who owed him a small amount of money. (Matthew 18:23-35)
The person with this gift...
1 ...Has the ability to discern good and bad investments.
1 ...Has the ability to discern good and bad investments.
Matthew records more advice on the use of money and goods than any other gospel. Take Matthew 6:19-20
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
This is an example of a good investment identified - laying up treasures in heaven as opposed to treasures on earth.
The person with this gift not only gives, but also encourages others to give. When he does, it may seem to others that he is pressuring them to give.
2 ...Has the desire to give quietly.
2 ...Has the desire to give quietly.
Though Luke also records a version of the Sermon on the Mount (the sermon on the plain), Matthew is the only one that records the saying about giving in secret. Matthew 6:2-4
2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
The Giver does not like to be asked to give publicly (E.g.: In a public meeting/service someone says, “Hey, so-and-so, you have the gift of giving, why don’t you give toward this project/ministry?”). He prefers to give in secret. Though the Giver may encourage others to give, he does not boast about what he gives or has given.
3 ...Is motivated by God in his heart, not by being pressured by others.
3 ...Is motivated by God in his heart, not by being pressured by others.
When giving to the needs of the ministry or the needs of others because God has placed it in our hearts to do so, then we are giving to the Lord and not just to people. Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
4 ...Has a desire to give gifts of good quality.
4 ...Has a desire to give gifts of good quality.
Matthew places emphasis on the quality of gifts given to Jesus at His birth (gold, frankincense, and myrrh), the quality of the gifts given to Jesus during his ministry (the woman that poured oil onto Jesus’ head from an alabaster box in Matthew 26:6-13), and the quality of gifts given to Jesus after His death (new linen burial clothes and a new tomb from Joseph of Arimathaea; Matthew points out that the tomb was hewn out of the rock himself, or at least commissioned by him to be done. Matthew 27:57-60).
The giver is especially joyful when his gift is an answer to prayer.
The giver has a desire to be a part of the work to which he gives and a particular blessing to the people to whom he gives.
It is a good practice, if the giver is married, to confirm with their spouse before giving a gift, as that person is no longer beholden only to themselves.
5 ...Often connects correlates faithfulness with money management.
5 ...Often connects correlates faithfulness with money management.
Matthew points out the foolishness of those who do not steward what they are given well. Matthew 21:33-40 (parable of the vineyardand the evil workers) and Matthew 25:24-30 (parable of the talents).
Matthew is the only one that tells us what the religious leaders did with the thirty pieces of silver that Judas returned (Matthew 27:3-8)
Matthew also reveals that the soldiers were bribed to lie about Jesus’ resurrection Matthew 28:11-15.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
People with this gift will often judge others as unfaithful if they are not wise money handlers.
6 ...Has the tendency to be frugal in personal matters.
6 ...Has the tendency to be frugal in personal matters.
Those with the gift of giving are often content not having the latest and greatest of everything. They tend to be frugal in their own lives to be more of a blessing to others. Matthew had a lot of wealth but left it all to follow Jesus. Luke 5:27-28
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
7 ...Has the ability to see financial needs that others may not notice.
7 ...Has the ability to see financial needs that others may not notice.
Matthew points out the way the Pharisees tried to get out of taking care of their aging parents in Matthew 15:3-6.
He also points out how the owner of a field paid out the same amount to every worker, despite them working different amounts of hours. Part of this parable deals with the owner of the fields seeing the need of people who could not find work and providing them a means of earning honest money.
What Are the Dangers of the Gift of Giving?
What Are the Dangers of the Gift of Giving?
Those with the gift of giving may struggle in the following three areas.
1. Not giving generously
1. Not giving generously
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity...
the word simplicity there means generosity. It is the act of simply giving, without holding back. To not give with simplicity is to hold back the gift, to give cheaply. (Explain the word codo.)
Those that do not give generously (whether they have this gift or not), take the place of God by adopting the attitude of, “It’s mu money, and I will decide how much I give.”
When we do not give generously...
A ...It can lead to a love of money. 1 Timothy 6:10
A ...It can lead to a love of money. 1 Timothy 6:10
Withholding our gift can foster a sense of selfishness. Selfishness and covetousness is damaging to our faith.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: But the righteous giveth and spareth not.
2. Not sharing in the needs of the saints.
2. Not sharing in the needs of the saints.
There is a danger that those with this gift see the needs of others yet fail to share God’s blessings.
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Distributing to the needs of others means being involved with them.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
When we do not share in the needs of others, we do not practice hospitality. When we are not given to hospitality, we often stop seeking to build friendship with those in need.
3. Not Being Guided by God in Giving
3. Not Being Guided by God in Giving
Not being guided by God in our giving can
A. Can cause those with this gift to disregard their own families to give to others.
A. Can cause those with this gift to disregard their own families to give to others.
The Bible warns against that
8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
B. Can cause those with the gift of giving to be enablers of other’s sinful lifestyles
B. Can cause those with the gift of giving to be enablers of other’s sinful lifestyles
We must be careful that before we jump to give, that we are seeking God’s guidance. Sometimes, God places a need in people’s lives in order that they might seek Him. If we provide for those whom God has brought to that situation, we may inadvertently stunt someone’s spiritual growth. Always seek guidance from God when you give.
C. Can foster cynicism
C. Can foster cynicism
Those that foster cynical attitudes may withhold from giving for fear that others will just take advantage of them. This is why it is so important to be led by the Holy Spirit.
Those with cynical attitudes will judge others in how they spend their money instead of advise and help others. They may withhold their gift because “that person will not manage my money well.”
If God is leading you to give, it is your responsibility to give. If the person mismanages that money, they will be responsible to God for that.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The gift of giving (distributing) is a gift given by the Holy Spirit to some believers in the church. Those with this gift know how to handle money for the advancement of the ministry. They will have to be careful not to try to manipulate ministries or ministers with their gift, to give generously, to be willing to share in the needs of the saints, and to be led of the Holy Spirit as they seek to practice this gift.
Do you have the gift of giving? Use it in the church by practicing hospitality and giving generously as God leads you.
