SPIRITUAL GIFTS (17)
The gifts we are discussing in this series are the Spiritual Gifts from Romans 12:3-8:
- Rom 12:3-8
- 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body , and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. NIV
We are focusing today on one of the “Support Gifts” – The gift of GIVING. We’re going to look at some other traits of the GIVER:
•They want their gift to be administered well but do not designate every nickel – (They don’t have to “be in control.”)
•They usually do not enjoy serving on the finance committee
•They want assurance that those who do serve on committees that disperse gifts are themselves obedient givers.
•They enjoy giving special gifts to honor those called to vocational ministry
•They never attach any strings to the gift and do not want to be treated differently because of the kindness done
•Gifted givers sometimes (most of the time) do not want the recipient to know the source of the gift
•They do want to ensure that their gift is used for the purpose they intend
•They get extra pleasure in letting the transaction be between them and God, and the messenger
The Gift of GIVING – Matthew Was A GIVER
•They are able to discern wise investments in order to have more money available to give away – Matthew included more counsel on the wise use of money than any other Gospel writer (Matthew 6:19-20, 25:14-30)
•They usually give quietly without public notice – Matthew is the only Gospel writer who emphasizes that a person should give secretly so that God can reward him openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)
•They give as unto the Lord at His promptings, not a man’s appeals – Matthew notes that when we give to the needs of fellow Christians which God reveals, we give to Christ (Matthew 25:35-46)
•They are concerned that their gifts be of high quality – Matthew records in greater detail the costly gifts given to Jesus; gold, frankincense, myrrh, precious ointment, new sepulcher (Matthew 2:11, 26:6-13; 27:57-60)
•They have an ability to test faithfulness and wisdom by how people handle funds – Matthew reveals the foolishness and rebellion of those who misused what they were given (Matthew 21:33-34, 25:14-30)
•They practice personal frugality and are content with the basic necessities of life – Matthew had wealth and wealthy friends; however, he “left all” to follow Jesus
–(Luke 5:27-32)
•They are alert to see what other people do with their money – Matthew is the only Gospel writer to explain what the religious leaders did with Judas’ thirty pieces of silver and also how they paid the soldiers to lie.
–(Matthew 27:3-8; 28:11-15)
•They see financial needs which others tend to overlook – Matthew records Christ’s condemnation of the Pharisees for not supporting their aged parents (Matthew 15:3-7). He also details the fairness of paying all the laborers the same wage. (Matthew 20:1-16)
•They use their giving to motivate others to give – Matthew was a tax collector. His job was to motivate people to give. (Luke 5:29) His is the only Gospel to record Christ’s condemnation of the man who was forgiven by another who owed him little.
–(Matthew 18:23-35)
In addition to my own material I have included quotes from the following:
- C. Peter Wagner “Your Spiritural Gifts”
- Gordon Lindsay “All About the Gifts of the Spirit”
- Adult Education and Discipleship Ministries – FBC – Garland “Gifts are for Giving”
- Biblesoft Libraries
- Sandy Trice
- David Francis
Today's Word From God 
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