Having a Generous Spirit and Trying to Understand the Spiritual Gift of Giving?

Having a Generous Spirit

My Grandfather had a generous spirit. He gave of himself. It wasn’t just something he did. It was who he was. When my grandpa would pull up in the driveway, all the kids on our block would come running. He would open the back of his station wagon, pull out a gallon of ice cream and a box of cones. All the kids knew that blue station wagon. And when the tailgate was opened it meant Grandpa was dishing out ice cream cones.

Grandpa shared everything. He shared his love for camping, swimming, cycling and softball. He shared his ice cream. He shared his fun loving spirit with everyone. If it brought him pleasure, he shared that with others. Grandpa didn’t just go around singing songs. He would gather all the kids together and get everyone to join in. That was how his generous spirit spilled out. When someone needed help moving, Grandpa didn’t hesitate. It didn’t matter that it would take up his day off. He was there with a roof rack, rope and a few helpers to join in. He didn’t hold anything back. The thing I valued the most was his time. And Grandpa was generous with his time.

My daughter-in-laws parents are another example of those with generous spirit. They go out of their way for their local village. It doesn’t matter that it cost them money, time and effort. They organize fund raisers. They put out flag displays for Veterans Day. They host their neighbors for the village’s annual fireworks event on the lake. They supply the space. They supply the food. Again, it isn’t what they do. It’s who they are.

Their generosity seems endless. Their home is open and inviting. Everyone is welcome. It isn’t just that they are hospitable. They are generous with every aspect of their lives. On Thanksgiving they not only feed the local veterans, they make all the food. They purchase all the supplies. They do all the prep work. They do all the leg work. Everything with them is hands on giving. They put in more than effort. Who they are goes into every aspect of their giving.

My mom was another one who had a generous spirit. She found out that one of my younger brother’s friends, who was visiting for the day, had never had a birthday party. Her response was nothing less than I expected. She grabbed me and off we went to the store. She didn’t have a lot of money. Neither did I. But no matter what, if mom had anything to do with it, this kid was going to get a birthday party. We bought a cake and ice cream. Cause you can’t have a birthday without cake and ice cream. We bought a few token gifts, balloons and candles for the cake.

When we had everything set up she called all the kids to kitchen. Aaron was a stocky fifteen year old, at the time. Aaron’s heart was just as huge as his physique. My mom wasn’t going to let anything stand in the way of celebrating this kid. So, once she got our family and friends assembled, Mom and I broke into song. At that everyone else joined in, as we belted out “Happy Birthday to youuuuuuu! Aaron was crying. It was great fun.

The fun was in the giving. The fun was in watching Aaron’s face as he opened birthday presents for the first time. They weren’t extravagant. We couldn’t afford extravagant. They were simple items. But Aaron’s face lit up like Christmas morning. That was nearly thirty years ago. But I remember it clearly because of the joy. Joy is contagious. For people with a generous spirit, giving gives them joy. They seem to burst with it.

They are Unique

I believe I am generous by nature. And I have had the great privilege of friendship with others who possess a generous spirit. There’s something unique about people with a generous spirit. They are always giving. They give their time. They seem to give every aspect of themselves. They typically hold nothing back. For them, everything is on the table when it comes to giving. They not only give out of their surplus, they give out of their lack. They give when giving hurts. It is just the way they are. They approach life with open handedness. They just see life through the lens of giving. They look for people and places to pour out their generosity.

These incredible individuals give with a spirit of abundance and joy. They celebrate the successes of others without envy or resentment. These unselfish individuals seem to never want anything in return. They might even get insulted if you offer. That’s just how they are wired.

Let’s face it, the world wouldn’t run as well without those possessed by a generous spirit. They show up to volunteer their time. Their donations run entire organizations. They offer their lives to the service of others.

Yet, having a generous spirit and the spiritual gift of giving are not the same. I discovered something on this subject recently when I was digging through the scriptures.

My Journey discovering The Spiritual Gift of Giving

I happened on this recently and it gave me pause. It also reminded me again of my mom. When I looked at the list of spiritual gifts in Romans 12, I discovered something I don’t believe I noticed before.

When I looked at the Greek text I found that the word usually translated in English as ‘generosity’ could be interpreted quite differently. As I continued to dig through the scriptures, I found that the terminology seems to have more to do with the giving being in submitted obedience to Holy Spirit.

Here’s What I Found

I had been looking at the places in the New Testament that refer to spiritual gifts. [Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12, and Eph 4:11] As I was reading, I couldn’t get away from what apostle Paul wrote concerning the gift of giving in Romans chapter 12:8.

My go to bible is NASB, which reads [12:8]“…he who gives with liberality….” Many translations use the English word generosity. Yet, I was intrigued by the literal translation (…he that giveth, with a single eye…) That is when my digging commenced.

Not Just About Generosity

Okay, so those who know me, know where I”m going to go with this. I pulled up my bible study software and opened my interlinear bible¹. The interlinear identified the word in question as the Greek word haplotēti. As I mentioned, it is usually translated as generosity in Romans 12:8. However, as I dug a little deeper something arose.

For Those Interested in the Journey, Keep Reading

Romans 12:3–8 (GNT- Godbey New Testament)

For I speak, through the grace which has been given unto me, for every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, as God has imparted to each one the measure of faith. For we indeed have many members in one body, but all the members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and members one of another. But having gifts differing according to the grace given unto us, whether prophecy, it is according to the analogy of faith; or ministry, it is in the ministry; or he that teacheth, in teaching; or he that exhorteth, in exhortation; or he that giveth, with a single eye; he that presideth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.

The Single Eye

I understand why some translators choose generosity, liberality or sincerity. Even the English word simplicity is sometimes used. However, this particular Greek word [ἁπλότητι haplotēti] is derived from the ἁπλοῦς (haplous), meaning single or simple. And yeah, I can see how that makes translating a bit of a challenge.

Then my KJV days came to mind. When we view this the term (haplous) alongside Christ’s use of it in His sermon on the mount, something interesting comes up.

Matthew 6:19–25 (KJV)

One Man’s Perspective

Take a look at something R. A. Torrey wrote in reference to Christ’s statement about ‘the single eye’.

Nothing else so clears up our minds to understand the Word of God as the surrender of our wills to God. The will is the eye of the soul. Our Lord says that also. He says in Matt. 6:22, 23, R. V., “The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.” And it is clear from the next verse that by a “single eye” He means a will fully surrendered to God. His words are, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other.” If your will is surrendered to God and to Him alone, your “eye” is “single,” and your “whole body full of light.” But if your will is not fully surrendered to God and Him alone, your “eye” is “evil” and your whole person is “full of darkness.” Nothing else gives us such a clear eye to discern, as we read God’s Word, just what God means, as an entirely surrendered will.²

In His Sermon on the Mount

Jesus not only uses this specific term to convey the idea of a fully surrender will, he directly connects it with our relationship to money.

Spiros Zodhiates, interprets this Greek word [ἁπλοῦς haplous] to mean: single, not having an ulterior or double motive, the opposite of duplicity; as faithful benevolence out of proper motivation, in sincerity.³

In my mind, this expands the idea, rather than limiting it to the idea of general generosity. Being generously big hearted is great. It’s not to be shied away from. But the idea of generosity isn’t the same thing as one having fully surrendered their will to the will of God or being void of ulterior motive.

This reminded me again of my mom

Shortly before she passed in 2013, I was sitting next to her hospital bed. She told me to grab her purse. She gave me specific instructions to go to Western Union and send a very particular amount money to someone. I had no idea who this person was. She made me promise to do exactly as she asked. And yes, I did.

That day, I found out she had been sending a monthly donation to a family in the Philippines. Mom lived solely on Social Security. The amount she was sending was nearly half her grocery budget for the month. To her the amount didn’t matter. The fact that she lived with less, didn’t matter. She gave because Holy Spirit told her to give. In this she was utterly and completely submitted to God. She would not and did not waver.

She was not looking for a return. This wasn’t an investment. She wasn’t sowing seed with the expectation that God would give her a return. This was an act of obedience. She didn’t do it because she was being lavish with her generosity. Her motive wasn’t to be magnanimous. She did it in submission to Holy Spirit’s leading. In her mind it wasn’t about being able to afford it. Being able to afford it wasn’t what mattered.

Her sole desire was to live submitted to God. And when it came to giving she was submitted. She used to say, “Unless the Lord tells me, I don’t spend a dollar.” So, while my mom had a generous spirit, she surrendered her will to the will of God. When she wanted to give out of her generous nature she submitted to the leading of Holy Spirit. She didn’t just give because she wanted to give, or because she was moved with compassion. She submitted her desired response to her compassion to the Lord. Sometimes out of her compassion she wanted to give but God said no. Other times she may not have had any intention to give, but if God instructed her to, she would. But she only did so when and how God directed.

That’s the best example I can come up. I’m sure some of you might think of other ways this spiritual gift of giving might be seen.

Back to Our Digging

Divided Loyalty

James 1:5–8 (NLT)

⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

Consecration

The physical consecration Paul describes in Romans 12:1 is the first step that is be accompanied by an intellectual and spiritual consecration, as well.

The Believer, once having received the full backing of the atonement of Christ, is now faced with a decision (see 8:5–6). We can continue to live the way we used to, or we can surrender ourselves further to God by allowing Holy Spirit to begin the interior transformation process.

I see the Romans 12 gift list not necessarily as referring to our earthly gifts and talents, as some do. Rather I seem them as a spiritual impartation, an endowment of the Spirit of God.

Romans 12:6a (NET)

^12:6 And we have different gifts (charismata) according to the grace (charin) given (dotheisan) to us. …

These gifts (charismata) are a given (dotheisan). The Greek word charisma is used to convey a spiritual endowment. Didomi, the primary root of dotheisan, is a verb that simply means to give.

Spiritual endowments are given by God via Holy Spirit impartation. Our natural abilities and personality bents are not to be confused with a spiritual gift. Like my mom whose personality expresses a generous spirit, yet the spiritual gift of giving with a single eye takes on a different motivation.

It’s Spiritual

The gift of the Spirit is not motivated by personality, talents or abilities. I think this might be more than just submitting our personality, talents or abilities to Holy Spirit. This spiritual gift seems to be an empowerment of the Spirit to give out of obedience to the Lord without any other agenda or motivation.

I come from a family of people who are highly clairvoyant. While it may seem on the surface to be the same as a spiritual endowment given by Holy Spirit, let me assure you, it is not! The ability to ‘pick up on’ spiritual things doesn’t mean that individual possesses the impartational gift of word of wisdom, word of knowledge or the gift of prophecy. It means they are spiritually sensitive. Again, it isn’t the same as having been given an endowment from Holy Spirit.

I have to say I am greatly challenged by the idea of this gift of giving being an empowerment imparted by Holy Spirit. The concept has been giving me something to meditate on. Here’s what comes to my mind.

Bear With Me a Little Longer

In the prophetic community there is a lot of talk about a supernatural transference of wealth. This prophetic view often emphasizes a divine gifting of sorts. In this scenario resources and prosperity are gifted to an individual or organization in order to accomplish a divine purpose.

This suggests that the receiving of a supernaturally and divinely inspired financial gift is not necessarily evidence of God’s blessing. Rather it indicates a divine entrustment of management.

Frankly, I see it is an entrusted responsibility gifted by God. In a way this type of gift is similar to that of a pastor. While it is not listed among the Ephesian 4:11 gifts, it is listed in Romans along with gifts of prophecy, ministry service, teaching, exhortation and leadership management.

These are gift of God given to the Ekkleisa. When someone has been entrusted with the divine gift of pastor, they are thus empowered by God with a special anointing (or grace) to fulfill that particular commissioning. The expectation includes the surrendering one’s will I would imagine is the same for any of these recipients. The recipient of the divine gift of giving, as with all spiritually imparted gifts, receives a spiritually empowering endowment grace.

Keep Pondering

Ultimately, I see the spiritual gift of giving as a spiritual endowment of supernatural ability to impart to others as directed by Holy Spirit. This supersedes having a generous human spirit. It includes having a surrendered will to the purpose of God. But it goes further.

In my opinion anyone receiving a supernatural transference of wealth I would expect to receive the spiritual gift of giving along with it. In my mind this goes hand in hand with the fear of the Lord.

The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. [Is. 11:2]

Embrace the Spirit of Generosity

Not all of us have received or will receive an endowment of the Spirit and commission to manage entrusted wealth. My question at this point is: “God what have you entrusted to me?”

And my prayer is:

Father God, I ask that You empower me by Your Holy Spirit to fulfill the call and commission upon my life, to be fully submitted and surrendered to Your will and direction. Prepare me to receive all that I will need to carry out Your divine purpose in my life.

Final Thoughts

We may not all be chosen to be entrusted with kingdom wealth to be distributed as God directs. But we can practice being generous with our lives. We can give our time. We can share our resources. We can give our attention and extend compassion.

As you reflect, consider how Holy Spirit is leading you.

Whether it’s offering your time, resources, or simply a listening ear; every small act of kindness is a large contribution.

What Can We Do?

Get Involved: Look for opportunities to serve those around you. Volunteer at local charities, support neighbors in need, or organize community events that bring people together.

Just seeing the need of someone else can lead to an opportunity. It’s as simple as noticing that someone can’t reach the top shelf at the grocery store and offering to help. That is one small way of being generous with your assistance.

Share Your Story: Inspire others by sharing your experiences with generosity. How has someone’s giving transformed your life or the lives of those around you? We want to be cautious to not turn this into attention getting and bragging. Share how

Practice Submission: Strive for a life of submission to God’s will. Pray for guidance on how to give without ulterior motives, seeking ways to bless others as you feel led by the Holy Spirit.

Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above. [Phil. 3:13-14 GNT]

Together let’s cultivate a culture of generosity.

My Grandpa used to say, “Words trickle into the ear, but example thunders into the mind!”

The way we live, not just the words we say, are the legacy we leave behind. I can only pray that my legacy is one of generosity, kindness and compassion.

1. An interlinear Bible is not a translation. It is a unique tool that helps to identify the Hebrew and Greek words of the original text allowing for reading the original Hebrew or Greek alongside the English translation ↩︎
2. R. A. Torrey, The Importance and Value of Proper Bible Study How Properly to Study and Interpret the Bible (New York: George H. Doran Company, 1921), 60. [public domain] ↩︎
3. From: The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000). ↩︎