Spiritual gifts
The Spiritual Gift of Giving
Opening resources for the good of others
The spiritual gift of giving is a Spirit-formed readiness to share money, time, and possessions generously and gladly for the good of others. Paul lists it among the gifts and tells the giver to "give generously" (Romans 12:8).
“Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.”
What it is
A need comes up in your small group, and before anyone asks, one person is already working out how to help. People with this gift want to give more than they have to, and they enjoy it. Paul's word in Romans 12:8 for how to give can mean generously or with sincerity, free of mixed motives.
The gift isn't reserved for the wealthy. It often involves money, and it can also mean lending a car, opening a spare room, or giving up a Saturday.
Where Scripture shows it
Barnabas sold a field and laid the money at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37). Joanna, Susanna, and other women supported Jesus and the Twelve "out of their own means" (Luke 8:3). The churches of Macedonia were in deep poverty, and they still "gave according to their ability and even beyond it" (2 Corinthians 8:3).
What it can look like
- You pay for the groceries of the family ahead of you when their card is declined.
- You enjoy budgeting because it frees up more to give.
- When a missionary's support falls short, you ask how much they need.
- You'd prefer that no one knows the gift came from you (Matthew 6:3-4).
What to watch for
- Giving to gain influence or control over how others use the money.
- A quiet sense that you're more spiritual than people who give less.
- Neglecting your own household, which Scripture calls you to provide for (1 Timothy 5:8).
- Giving on impulse without asking whether a ministry uses gifts well.
Ways to serve with it
- Decide on a regular amount to give to your local church, and give it first.
- Set aside a fund for needs that come up in your small group or neighborhood.
- Support a missionary monthly, and write to them now and then.
- Ask your pastor or deacons about needs that never make the announcements.
Related gifts
Holy habits that fit this gift
These practices can help you steward this gift over time.
Frequently asked questions
Is giving a spiritual gift or something every Christian should do?
Every Christian is told, "do not neglect to do good and to share with others" (Hebrews 13:16). Romans 12:8 also names giving as a particular gift, and people who have it tend to give with unusual joy.
Do you have to be wealthy to have the gift of giving?
No. Some of the most generous people in Scripture were poor. Jesus said a widow who put in two small coins "has put in more than all the others" (Luke 21:3), because she gave all she had to live on.
How do I know if I have the gift of giving?
Ask whether giving feels more like joy than duty, and whether a need stays on your mind until you've helped. A spouse or close friend can often tell you if generosity is one of the clearest marks of God's work in you.
Take the free Spiritual Gifts Test
Answer questions about how you like to serve, and see which gifts your answers point toward. It takes about 6-7 minutes, and no email is required.
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