A work is not to be judged by any effects on the bodies of men; such as tears, trembling, groans, loud outcries, agonies of body, or the failing of bodily strength. The influence persons are under is not to be judged of one way or other by such effects on the body. Scripture nowhere gives us any such rule. We cannot conclude that persons are under the influence of the true Spirit because we see such effects upon their bodies. This is not given as a mark of the true Spirit; nor on the other hand, have we any reason to conclude from any such outward appearances that persons are not under the influence of the Spirit of God. There is no rule of Scripture given us by which to judge spirits that either expressly or indirectly excludes such effects on the body, nor does reason exclude them.
Jonathan Edwards

Gift of Giving

                          THE MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS ELABORATED

GIFT OF GIVING

BASIC MOTIVATION DEFINED
Motivated to entrust personal assets to others for the furtherance of this
ministry.

AMPLIFICATION
Has the God given ability to organize personal business in order to gain assets.
Motivated by the Spirit to make quick decisions regarding the immediate needs
which others have.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE EXERCISING THIS GIFT
1.  An ability to make wise purchases and investments.  Astute in handling money.
2.  A desire to give quietly to effective projects or ministries.
a.  Wants to avoid the pressure of publicity.
b.  Often reluctant to give when something is “pushed” on him.
3.  He has an innate sense of whether the proposed ministry is effective or not.
4.  He often attempts to use his giving to motivate others to give.
5.  He has a particular alertness to valid needs which he fears that others may
overlook.
6.  He gets a real enjoyment out of meeting needs without the pressure of appeals.
In fact, pressure turns him off.
7.  There is a special joy when he learns that his gift is an answer to a specific
prayer.  Then he senses that God led him in his giving.
8.  He is often depended upon his partner’s (wife’s) counsel to confirm the amount
of his gift.
9.  He has a special concern that his gift be used in a high quality way.
(Example:  Instead of giving money for a person to buy some cheap clothes,
he will go out and buy good clothes for him.)
10.  He has a need to know that his has a definite part in the work of the person
(or organization) to whom he gives.

DANGERS IN EXERCISING THIS GIFT
1.  Being proud of his giving.
2.  Measuring spiritual success by material assets.
3.  Overlooking long-range goals in meeting immediate needs.
4.  Giving not only to meet needs of others but to pander to his own vanity
and self-motivation.
5.  Giving with a sense of duty and not with a radiant sense of joy.
6.  Giving a moral lecture and criticism along with the gifts.

MISUNDERSTANDINGS
1.  The need to deal with large sums of money may appear to be a focus on
temporal values.
2.  The desire to increase the effectiveness of a ministry by his gift may
appear as an attempt to control the work or person.
3.  His attempt to encourage others to give may appear as lack of generosity
on his part or unnecessary pressure.
4.  The lack of response to pressure appeals may also appear to others as a
lack of generosity.
5.  The personal frugality by which he lives may appear to friends and
especially relatives a selfishness in not meeting their wants.