The Gift of Generosity

Sharing with others is just as important as any other spiritual gift. Are you exercising the gift of generosity?

Have you ever noticed how your worship leader at church is a great singer… and perhaps you are not? The people on stage might have the gift of music. And you might have the gift of generosity.

Everyone understands that God has blessed singers with vocal talent. And the best singers have strengthened that gift over the years with diligence practice. You could practice and become a better singer and yet never reach their level. But whether you have a beautiful voice or can’t carry a tune, God wants everyone to sing.

So it goes with giving. We were all made to be givers. But not all givers are created equal. When we study the scripture, we see that God has given some people the gift of generosity. Understanding that shapes the way that we approach giving in our lives and in the Kingdom of God.

Giving is a gift

God has a role for each of us to play in the financial work of the Kingdom. While all of us are called to give generously, God has ordained some people to be super-givers. Check out this passage from Romans 12:6-8, which deals with spiritual gifts in the church:

⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

You might be  familiar with some of the spiritual gifts on this list. Some people are gifted in serving, some in teaching and others in encouraging. You may even have spent time studying these spiritual gifts and activating them in your life. But did you notice that, hidden in the middle of verse 8, this scripture mentions generosity? “If it is giving,” the passage says, “then give generously.”
We were all made to be givers. But not all givers are created equal.

This verse underscores the gift of generosity and its important role in the church. Giving will probably never turn you into a “celebrity Christian” like leading, teaching or singing might. But God sees generosity as an important spiritual gift. He mentions it in the same context with these other high-profile functions in the church.

God has given certain people special talents and personality traits to excel in each of these. He has also blessed some of us with talents and gifts to use for extraordinary generosity.

Do you have the gift of generosity?

So, what does this mean for you? Well, its application is going to depend a lot on what God is doing in your life. If you think you may have the spiritual gift of generosity, you need to begin to steward that gift in your life. When God blesses you with big financial resources, He also intends for you to become a big giver.

If you feel led to give to your church, to ministries or to people in need, that’s a good sign that you have the gift of generosity. It’s especially important for you to manage your money well so that you can live out the generosity  God has created for you. And if you follow God’s leading in this area, you might see big financial increase over time. Because He has big plans for you to give very generously.

What if I don’t have the gift of generosity?

But what if that’s not you? What if you genuinely don’t have the spiritual gift of generosity? Does that mean you can hold on to all your money and let the super-generous people you know take care of all the giving?

No. Even though you may not have the gift of extraordinary generosity, you are still called to give.

The gift of generosity works just like any other spiritual gift. Just because some people are called to full-time evangelism doesn’t mean the rest of us shouldn’t share the gospel. God wants us all to spread the good news. You may not have the gift of teaching, but there will be times in your life when God asks you to teach. So it goes with giving. God calls some people to extraordinary generosity and equips them to give abundantly. But we are all made to be givers.

People with the gift of generosity have an obligation to exercise that gift to glorify God and make a difference in the world around them. The rest of us should follow their example and give in the very best way we can.

Growing in your gift

If God has given you the gift of generosity, you have a lot of potential to make a powerful difference in the world. That starts with making the most of the resources you have now. Manage them wisely so  you can do the things God has called you to do with your money.

For years, I’ve been teaching people to follow God’s plan for their financial lives, and I would be honored to help you too. My free e-book, “God’s Master Plan for Your Money,” will give you encouragement and practical tips to begin your journey to financial freedom. You can get your copy instantly by filling out this form: