We are no more like Christ than we are generous!
GOD was and is the most generous Giver of all!
Jesus spoke in John chapter 3:
16 For God so Loved the world that He gave …
Do you see yourself as a giver or a taker? Do you look for ways to be generous? Generosity is actually at the heart of the gifts of THE SPIRIT. The entire purpose of ministering in the gifts is for the edification (or building up) of the church. The purpose of the gifts of THE SPIRIT is to get something from GOD that will make somebody else’s life more complete through your generous giving.
When we minister in a true spirit of generosity, we are not only able to properly direct our resources, but HE gives us the opportunity through that heart to access HIS resources and distribute them.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 12:
4 It is the same Holy Spirit who continues to distribute many different varieties of gifts.
5 The Lord YAHWEH is One, and HE is the One Who apportions to believers different varieties of ministries.
6 The same God distributes different kinds of miracles that accomplish different results through each believer’s gift and ministry as HE energizes and activates them.
7 Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all.
8 For example: The Spirit gives to one the gift of the Word of Wisdom.
To another, the same Spirit gives the gift of the Word of revelation knowledge.
9 And to another, the same Spirit gives the gift of faith.
And to another, the same Spirit gives gifts of healing.
10 And to another the power to work miracles.
And to another the gift of prophecy.
And to another the gift to discern what the Spirit is speaking.
And to another the gift of speaking different kinds of tongues.
And to another the gift of interpretation of tongues.
11 Remember, it is the same Holy Spirit Who distributes, activates, and operates these different gifts as We chooses for each believer.
How important are these Spiritual Gifts?
Paul continues in 1st Corinthians chapter 14:
1 Pursue [this] Love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the Spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people]. AMP
Prophecy from Above gives the recipient hope, expectation, and courage to deal with the future.
We are to cry out to GOD to receive the needed gifts for others we encounter, to distribute that which originated in the Heart of GOD for people and help to make them more complete.
Paul continues:
26 Beloved friends, what does all this imply? When you conduct your meetings, you should always let everything be done to build up the church family. Whether you share a song of praise, a teaching, a divine revelation, or a tongue and interpretation, let each one contribute what strengthens others.
Our goal is to build up the Body of Christ by ministering and strengthening others. Those who are mature in Christ are to minister to the babes in Christ and nurture them to maturity, in Love.
I may not have money to give but I can give that person my undivided attention. I may have some possessions that The Holy Spirit instructs me to give. It may be a word of encouragement.
King David recorded by The Holy Spirit in Psalm chapter 35:
27 But let all my true friends shout for joy, all those who know and Love what I do for You. Let them all say, “The Lord is great, and HE delights in the prosperity of HIS servant.”
As we serve THE LORD and are led by HIS SPIRIT, HE delights in our prosperity. The windows of Heaven are opened wider so that we are able to increase our generosity and impact on those around us.