Who Me, Gifted?Smakprov

The Marks of a Giver

Believers with the Holy Spirit's gift of giving have learned that money is meant to be a servant and not a master. Gifted givers look at their money and seek ways to put that money to work to advance God's Kingdom. They recognize that all of their assets are God's, and not just the ten percent given as the tithe. They understand that God is concerned with how we manage 100 percent of our resources.

In contrast, there are those who only want to give of their time or of themselves but want to hold onto their money. But it is by tangibly giving that we acknowledge that God owns everything and is the source of all provision. Givers know that gifts given to God are statements of praise for how God has provided in the past and a demonstration of unwavering faith that God will provide in the future. The psalmist declares, "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread" (Psalm 37:25).

Givers also give in gratitude and thanksgiving that Christ died for us and redeemed us, providing us with eternal life and the Holy Spirit. Givers desire to bless God just as they have been blessed by Him.

If you have been gifted with giving by the Holy Spirit, give cheerfully knowing that the Lord is blessed by your use of this gift. Trust in Him and seek Him when making giving decisions. Remember, all Christians are called to be givers.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I would always be a cheerful giver. I know that You own everything and are the source of all that I need. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).