SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Giving
Release what has been entrusted to you.
Giving is the Spirit-enabled desire and capacity to release resources generously for God’s purposes and the needs of others. Every Christian is called to generosity, but some people appear to carry an unusual grace for giving with joy, wisdom, faith, and freedom.
WHAT IS THE GIFT OF GIVING?
Giving turns ownership into stewardship.
Someone with this gift may naturally look at money, property, time, access, influence, connections, equipment, or opportunity and ask:
What could this become in someone else’s life?
At its healthiest, Giving is not impulsive, performative, or controlling.
It recognizes that what God places in our hands may sometimes be intended to become grace in someone else’s life.
The gift is not merely having wealth.
It is freedom to release what has been entrusted.
YOU MAY RECOGNIZE THIS GIFT WHEN...
Others may have noticed...
- You consistently notice ways resources can meet meaningful needs.
- You give generously without needing attention for it.
- You are willing to sacrifice personally so that something good can happen for someone else.
- You often inspire generosity in others.
- You think creatively about how resources can accomplish kingdom purposes.
You may have noticed...
- Giving produces genuine joy rather than resentment.
- You regularly ask, “What can I do with what God has entrusted to me?”
- You enjoy meeting needs anonymously.
- You view resources as tools rather than merely possessions.
THE GIFT IN SCRIPTURE
BARNABAS
Barnabas owns a field.
He sells it, brings the money, and places it at the apostles’ feet so needs in the community can be met.
That action matters because Barnabas does not merely believe generosity is good.
He releases something of real value so that what he possesses can become provision for someone else.
The deeper movement is this:
Not:
What belongs to me?
But:
What has God entrusted to me?
Later, Barnabas gives in other ways too.
He uses credibility.
Relationships.
Opportunity.
Influence.
Giving is broader than money.
Resources of many kinds can become instruments of love.
EXPLORE THE SCRIPTURES
WHEN GIVING IS HEALTHY
Healthy Giving...
- releases resources freely.
- does not require recognition.
- does not purchase access, loyalty, or control.
- uses wisdom as well as generosity.
- sees resources as stewardship.
- protects dependents and responsibilities while practicing sacrifice.
THE WEIGHT OF THE GIFT
Giving becomes dangerous when generosity creates leverage.
A giver must never begin believing:
Because I paid for this, I should get my way.
Generosity does not buy spiritual authority.
It does not purchase proximity to leaders.
It does not create ownership over the person who received help.
It does not make gratitude a lifetime debt.
Healthy giving releases both the resource and the need to control what the resource earns socially.
Giving also needs wisdom.
Not every request should automatically receive money.
Sometimes the most loving response is different support, better information, a boundary, or help that addresses the deeper problem.
Stewardship includes wisdom about everything God has entrusted to us.
ASK THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU
WE ARE FORMED PERSONALLY.
WE ARE REVEALED RELATIONALLY.
Ask:
- Do I naturally see how resources could become provision for someone else?
- Does my generosity feel freeing or controlling to the people receiving it?
- Do I need my name attached to what I give?
- Am I wise enough to know when giving money is not the best help?
- What resources beyond money have I been entrusted to share?
TRY THE GIFT
PRACTICE GIVING
Look at what is already in your hands.
Money.
Time.
Space.
Food.
Transportation.
Connections.
Equipment.
Opportunity.
Attention.
Ask:
What has God entrusted to me that could become provision or possibility for someone else?
Choose one resource to release intentionally and wisely.
If possible, do it without needing recognition.
GUIDED PRAYER
God,
If You have entrusted Giving to me, teach me to hold resources with open hands.
Help me see what You have given me as stewardship rather than possession.
Give me generosity without control, sacrifice without irresponsibility, and wisdom to know what kind of help is actually needed.
Protect me from using generosity to gain influence, access, or recognition.
Let what You place in my hands become grace in someone else’s life.
Amen.
CONTINUE DISCOVERING
Think Giving may be one of the ways God has entrusted you to serve others?