The Gifts of Giving and Mercy
Spiritual Gifts • Sermon • Submitted
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In our last lesson, we looked at the gift of service first because it is often the most overlooked and under-appreciated. Yet, it is so important to the Lord that He enabled Peter to raise Dorcas (a woman who possessed this spiritual gift) from the dead. We also looked at the gift of leadership. Let's continue looking at the serving gifts, beginning with...
The Gift of Giving
The Gift of Giving
The Bible teaches giving is a spiritual gift. In listing the spiritual gifts, what does Paul write in Romans 12:8c-d
if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
The gift of giving may be defined as "the God-given ability to give cheerfully, eagerly, and generously, with no motive except to spread the Gospel and bring glory to God."
Before continuing, it must be pointed out that the absence of this gift doesn't mean we are exempt from obeying God's commands for giving back to Him. For example, Each one must give as he has decided in his heart 2 Cor. 9:7a, . How does the rest of that verse read?
Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.
On the first day of each week we are to give in proportion to how God has blessed us financially (1 Cor. 16:2). The Bible also gives us the proportion by which we are to give. Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for tithing of worthless herbs in their gardens but neglecting the more important aspects of the Law, such as justice and mercy and faithfulness Mt 23:23a. Then, what does Jesus say in Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, and yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These things should have been done without neglecting the others.
That means, "Yes, you should tithe, but don't neglect more important things."
Those believers who have the gift of giving give joyfully, beyond their tithes. They give with generosity, or "simplicity," which translates a Greek word that means "liberally" or "bountifully" (Rom. 12:8). The word also implies "singleness" of mind, so there is no ulterior motive. Persons with this gift don't give to get something back or to be admired by others.
An excellent, biblical example of a person with the gift of giving is Barnabas, who sold a field and laid all the proceeds from the sale at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36-37).
As with all spiritual gifts, our Ultimate Model is Jesus Christ, who gave us something more valuable than money. Though Jesus was God, He didn't think equality with God was something to cling to selfishly. Therefore, He gave up His throne in heaven, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men (Philip. 2:6-7).
Then, what does Paul write Phil. 2:8b-c
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
People with the gift of giving will not create a "funeral atmosphere" at giving time. Instead, they will have gleams in their eyes and smiles on their faces as they give back to God during a worship service.
Believers with this gift are usually very good at business and making and handling money. They are typically hard-working and believe God will bless their hard work so they can give more to support their local church and spread the Gospel.
People with this gift are usually not gullible, so they only give to projects directly related to ministry or winning people to Christ. They believe their God-given responsibility is to invest their money wisely toward ministries that glorify God and spread the Gospel.
This gift is also revealed in people with meager means who give sacrificially to their churches and mission offerings. One day after completing his teaching, Jesus sits down near the collection box in the temple. He watches the worshippers drop their offerings in the box. Many wealthy people put in large amounts. During Jesus' day there was no paper money, only coins.
Therefore, the amounts given by the rich would probably clatter loudly as they dropped money into the metal box. Then, a poor widow drops in two small coins, or "mites," which are worth less than a penny. Jesus uses this opportunity to teach His disciples about giving. He tells them the poor widow actually gave more than the rich people who put in much more. Jesus explains the rich gave "out of their abundance" (Mk 12:41-44a).
However, what does He say about the woman Mark 12:44
For they all gave out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—all she had to live on.”
It is not the amount given, but the sacrifice, that reveals the gift of giving.
As already mentioned, all spiritual gifts are perfect because they come from a perfect God. However, they are given to imperfect people who can let their gifts become menaces to the church. Persons with the gift of giving can become problems if they yield to the temptation to manipulate how their contributions are used. They may also feel their opinions should carry more weight in the church than those who are unable to give as much.
People with this gift may also use the amount of money given as an excuse to avoid other responsibilities in the church.
In Acts 20:35c we find another beatitude of Jesus. People with the gift of giving know from experience its truth. Write it below:
In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
The gift of giving may be defined as "the God-given ability to give cheerfully, eagerly, and generously, with no motive except to spread the Gospel and bring glory to God."
Now, let's consider...
The Gift of Mercy
The Gift of Mercy
The gift of mercy is unique because it involves feelings more than deeds.
A person with the gift of mercy often has the gift of service as a subordinate gift. In referring to this spiritual gift, what does Paul write in Romans 12:8f
if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good.
The gift of mercy may be defined as "the God-given ability to feel compassion for all kinds of hurting people, cheerfully ministering to them for the glory of God."
The word translated mercy (ELEEO, el-eh-eh'-oh) means "compassion" or "to have pity on.
The gift of mercy is the God-given ability to feel genuine empathy and compassion for others believers and non-believers. It is the supernatural ability to be understanding and loving.
The word translated cheerfulness (HILAROTES, hil-ar-ot'-ace) is the word from which we get our word "hilarious." The person with the gift of mercy is often a spirit-lifter. Some people with this gift are very entertaining.
Many have a supernatural ability to make hurting, discouraged people laugh. When visiting a grieving family, I have been amazed how someone with this gift can bring up a funny story about the deceased and make everyone laugh. They know what truth in Proverbs 17:22a
A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.
Cheerfulness also indicates those showing mercy do so in gladness. Con-sequently, they are not offended nor do they feel it is an imposition when someone interrupts their busy day to share a burden.
The gift of mercy is different from the gift of service. Those with the gift of service are more concerned with ministering to physical needs, while those with the gift of mercy concentrate on emotional needs.
A person with the gift of mercy has a built in "hurt-detector" and can zero in on hurting people. This person has an amazing ability to sense distress in another person, whether it is hurt, grief, depression, discouragement, etc.
He or she also has a strong, sincere desire to remove hurts and bring heal-ing. Someone with this gift is super empathetic and caring.
People with this gift are also very sensitive to hurtful words and actions.
They will say such things as, "You shouldn't have said that because it hurt their feelings," or, "That wasn't very nice."
They always have a compassionate ear; therefore, people who are hurting want to talk to them. Someone with this gift loves to let hurting, lonely people know they are accepted, loved, and have worth. People with the gift of mercy often have the subordinate gift of hospitality and invite hurting people into their homes because of their mercy ministry. People with this gift joyfully obey what command in Galatians 6:2
Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
As with all spiritual gifts, the gift of mercy is perfect because it comes from a perfect God. Yet, all people with this gift are imperfect.
Therefore, this gift has its downside. People with the gift of mercy are prone to discouragement and depression themselves because they are so sensitive to all the emotional needs of people around them. As a result, they can become emotionally drained. This depressed state may cause them to become pessimistic and negative. They also may become critical of others in the church who are not as compassionate and caring as they are.
The Ultimate Example of the gift of mercy is Jesus Christ- the epitome of compassion.
What does Matthew 9:36 record about Him when He saw the crowds of people?
When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.
The gift of mercy may be defined as "the God-given ability to feel compassion for all kinds of hurting people, cheerfully ministering to them for the glory of God."
We have now briefly covered the gifts of giving and mercy.
Every effective church needs people who cheerfully minister to its members' needs.