The Gift of Giving
During a recent Bible Study, a dear friend remarked that she was sometimes “convicted” that she didn’t feel “called” to go on mission trips. That, she gladly gave so that others could go, but that “going to the Dollar Store and buying crayons and goods doesn’t really ‘cost’ me anything…” she said.
As I thought about that later I was reminded of Paul’s teaching on the “gifts of the Spirit.” One of these very real gifts, tucked right in there between exhortation and leadership, is the gift of giving…
Paul says (Romans 12:6-8) “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Oftentimes a person will have many of these gifts, but the “gift of giving”, I believe, is coupled with the ability to make money - not that one is “independently wealthy” but that one’s needs are met, and their eyes opened to see other’s needs as well.
I have a couple of friends whose gift is truly that of making money. They just seem to do it very well - and they give very well! Not many people know about their giving. They live in a modest home and drive modest vehicles - but they give a lot away!
That is a very real gift. Ministries thrive and succeed on such gifts. For some, their gift is teaching, or preaching, or serving, but who do you think pays for those ministries? The one with the “gift of giving…” Your giving allows them to do what they do without worrying about paying the bills!
Sometimes, if “something” is easy for us to do, we don’t see the “big deal” in it, but believe me, others see it and appreciate it immensely!
So, don’t sell yourself short. If that is one of your gifts, or perhaps the word “ability” might be more easily understood, then do it - and do it with liberality!
Ask God to open your eyes to what your gift is - and then “exercise it accordingly!”
Father, thank You that You made each of us with different gifts and abilities. Help us to see where You would have us serve, knowing that we all make up the “body”, and that none of the “parts” are more important, nor less important than the others. And may all that we do, glorify You!
In Jesus’ Name - Amen.
As I thought about that later I was reminded of Paul’s teaching on the “gifts of the Spirit.” One of these very real gifts, tucked right in there between exhortation and leadership, is the gift of giving…
Paul says (Romans 12:6-8) “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Oftentimes a person will have many of these gifts, but the “gift of giving”, I believe, is coupled with the ability to make money - not that one is “independently wealthy” but that one’s needs are met, and their eyes opened to see other’s needs as well.
I have a couple of friends whose gift is truly that of making money. They just seem to do it very well - and they give very well! Not many people know about their giving. They live in a modest home and drive modest vehicles - but they give a lot away!
That is a very real gift. Ministries thrive and succeed on such gifts. For some, their gift is teaching, or preaching, or serving, but who do you think pays for those ministries? The one with the “gift of giving…” Your giving allows them to do what they do without worrying about paying the bills!
Sometimes, if “something” is easy for us to do, we don’t see the “big deal” in it, but believe me, others see it and appreciate it immensely!
So, don’t sell yourself short. If that is one of your gifts, or perhaps the word “ability” might be more easily understood, then do it - and do it with liberality!
Ask God to open your eyes to what your gift is - and then “exercise it accordingly!”
Father, thank You that You made each of us with different gifts and abilities. Help us to see where You would have us serve, knowing that we all make up the “body”, and that none of the “parts” are more important, nor less important than the others. And may all that we do, glorify You!
In Jesus’ Name - Amen.
Labels: Bible Study
posted by Betty Newman at 7:42 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home