We have been studying spiritual giftings and the one for this week was giving. Growing up in Christian subculture in America, I have a very specific view of giving. The first thing to come to mind was the love language of gift giving. Gary Chapman names it as one of the 5 love languages.
But our pastor this evening defined giving a bit differently. Giving is the ability and desire to grab onto a vision.
“Huh.” I thought. “I have never thought of it like that.” When you give, you are giving to a vision of the future. A birthday present is a vision of a happy individual with a long life. A gift to building fund is a vision for a structure that will affect the community. And a gift to (say) a missionary in Zambia, is a vision for a thriving global community.
The more I thought about it, the more I LOVE this definition of giving as a spiritual gift and discipline.
You, my wonderful partners, have ALL exercised the spiritual gift of giving my grabbing onto the vision I have been called to here in Zambia to raise up healthy and world-changing youth. Your gifts and prayers are not just gifts and prayers. They are a physical manifestation of holding onto that amazing vision.
So I wanted to thank you for grabbing ahold of the vision with me! Together, we are creating the Kingdom on earth.
By April Sylvester
SAMS Missionary to Zambia
April,
“Giving is the ability and desire to grab onto a vision.”
A great definition of spiritual giving.
Many thanks for sharing!