Nougat 18

//Give it with Love and store it above

Give it with a willing heart //

Such are the words of an offering chorus when I was growing up. Inasmuch as that updraft tempo accompanied the times of offertory, many a congregation saw the widow’s mite land in the plate regardless of their economic situation. Giving is more than an action. According to today’s Holy Nougat, it’s also a spiritual gift

“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

Romans 12:8 NLT

“They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.” Psalms 112:9 NLT

Every single one of us has the capacity to be a giver. It is one of the languages of Love. The Greek root metadidomi suggests that giving involves a change of ownership from giver to receiver, and that is one of the key pieces to Giving. It extends beyond ourselves.

Of course, it also means that when the business is done, the giver has Zero control over the receiver’s actions. And for many of us that is where the challenge comes.(From a spiritual gifts point of view, our desire to exert control over the recipients’ response suggests that it’s our flesh rather than God’s Spirit at work in us).

Our psalm began as a descriptor of a generous lender; qualifying the act by noting that such persons share freely (not lend), and assist those who are in need. Those of us whom God’s Spirit anoints for Giving are blessed with the capacity to discern Needs. And sometimes, their giving is anonymous so that it really isn’t about the human manifestation of the giver but it places the focus God-ward. (I’m not sure if iGod-ward actually is an official word, but it suits our purposes just fine). Hence if we find that we’re only inclined to give where cameras or other forms of publicity are present, we can safely say that’s not the Spiritual Gift.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 we’re offered more food for thought. It presents Giving, in particular the Cheerful Giver as someone who merits special love from God. So us who are renowned for grumpy giving – not a Spiritual Gift. We can be otherwise gifted, but the grumpiness would suggest that it’s not the spiritual gift. And that’s a serious one, at least for me. Because I sometimes question whether the would-be recipient truly values whatever it is I’m giving; whether it’s my Time,Talent or Treasure. I agree that there are unscrupulous people who wish to take advantage. BUT, having been given God’s go-ahead; our attitude ought to reflect the joy of serving God and sharing God’s Love to and with others.

So, we know God loves cheerful Givers, that Giving includes discerning who is in need and does not seek the limelight. Although we all give, not every act of Giving is that special Spiritual Gift. May we yield to the move of God’s Spirit in all we do.

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May all we seek be found in Christ