Giving

Summary:

It is written in the Bible that "GIVING" (Romans 12:8) is listed among the spiritual gifts.

GIVING-OUT one's own possessions may be an example of the exercice of the spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8).

Paul wrote to exercise the spiritual gift of "giving, with SINCERITY" (Romans 12:8). 

The spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8) can be exercised by people who are not necesarily rich or who do not necessarily have many possessions. 

When someone exercises the spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8), the other person on the receiving end is ultimately accountable to God for what they have been given. 

You can find more details below:

Giving:

It is written in the Bible that "GIVING" (Romans 12:8) is listed among the spiritual gifts.

This is a spiritual gift among the list of other spiritual gifts available.

For more information:

List of spiritual gifts:
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Examples of what can be given:

Paul wrote about the spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8) within a list of spiritual gifts in Romans 12 such as "prophecy" (Romans 12:6). 

Paul mentioned diverse spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13, writing: "if I-GIVE-OUT all my possessions" (1 Corinthians 13:3) and "If I-have prophecy" (1 Corinthians 13:2). 

GIVING-OUT one's own possessions may be an example of the exercice of the spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8).

Other similar uses of the word "giving":

The Greek word for the spiritual gift of "GIVING [metadidómi 3330 in Greek]" (Romans 12:8) is also used by Paul elsewhere, which may give examples of what may be GIVEN.

For example, Paul wrote: "Let the (one) stealing be-stealing no-longer. But rather let him be-laboring, working the good (thing with his) own hands in-order-that he-might-have (something) TO-GIVE [metadidómi 3330 in Greek] (to) the (one) having (a) need" (Ephesians 4:28). Here "GIVING" has to do with giving one's own possessions that someone is to "be-laboring, working the good (thing with his) own hands in-order-that he-might-have (something)" (Ephesians 4:28). The "GIVING" is to be done specifically "(to) the (one) having (a) need" (Ephesians 4:28). 

It is written in Luke: "Let the (one) having two tunics GIVE [metadidómi 3330 in Greek] (to) the (one) not having, and let the (one) having food be-doing likewise”." (Luke 3:11). Here "GIVING" has to do with giving one's own possessions as they are described as "having two tunics" (Luke 3:11) or "having food " (Luke 3:11). The "GIVING" is to be done specifically "(to) the (one) not having" (Luke 3:11). 

Giving with sincerity:

Paul wrote to exercise the spiritual gift of "giving, with SINCERITY" (Romans 12:8). 

The Greek word for "SINCERITY" [haplotés 572 in Greek] in Romans 12:8 comes from the Greek word for "sincere" [haplous 573 in Greek, advective] which comes from the opposite of the base for the Greek word "to-twist" [plekó 4120 in Greek]. 

"SINCERITY" can be set in opposition to wordly wisdom, as for example Paul wrote about having conducted himself "in SINCERITY [haplotés 572 in Greek] and purity (from) God; and NOT in fleshly wisdom" (2 Corinthians 1:12). Someone giving would not be giving with fleshly wisdom (for ulterior motives for example), but "with SINCERITY" (Romans 12:8). 

"SINCERITY" can also be set in opposition to eye service as a people-pleaser, as for example Paul wrote about obeying "NOT with eye-service as people-pleasers, BUT in SINCERITY [haplotés 572 in Greek] (of) heart" (Colossians 3:22). Someone giving would not be giving with eye service as a people-pleaser, but "with SINCERITY" (Romans 12:8). 

The Greek word for "SINCERITY" [haplotés 572 in Greek] in Romans 12:8 is used elsewhere by Paul to denote the attitude demonstrated by people giving of their possessions to the ones having needs. 

Paul wrote: "their down deep poverty abounded into the RICHES (of) their SINCERITY [haplotés 572 in Greek]" (2 Corinthians 8:2). Here Paul indicates that people being in "deep poverty" (2 Corinthians 8:2) and yet they were demonstrating "SINCERITY" (in relation to giving their possessions).

Paul wrote: "the (One) supplying seed (to) the (one) sowing, and bread for eating, will-supply and multiply your seed, and will-grow the fruits (of) your righteousness. In everything (you will) be-enriched for all SINCERITY [haplotés 572 in Greek], which through us is (going to) produce thanksgiving (to) God, because the ministry (of) this service is not only (going to be) filling-up the needs (of) the holy (ones), but also abounding through many thanksgivings (to) God" (2 Corinthians 9:10-12). Here Paul indicates that people who are "filling-up the needs (of) the holy (ones)" (2 Corinthians 9:12) are demontrating "SINCERITY" (in relation to giving their possessions to the ones having needs).  

Ancient Jewish text:

In an ancient Jewish text called the Testament of Issachar (from the 1st-2nd century BC), we find an ethic of "SINCERITY" [haplotés 572 in Greek] associated with sharing the products of the earth wih the poor and needy with a certain heart attitude, as it is written: ​"I shared my fruits with all the poor and the needy, in the SINCERITY [haplotés 572 in Greek] of my heart." (Testament of Issachar 3:8)

Giving is not necessarily exclusive to those who have many possessions:

In principle, the spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8) can be exercised by people who are not necesarily rich or who do not necessarily have many possessions. 

Paul wrote: "their down DEEP POVERTY abounded into the riches (of) their SINCERITY [haplotés 572 in Greek]" (2 Corinthians 8:2). Here Paul indicates that people being in "DEEP POVERTY" (2 Corinthians 8:2) and yet they were giving with "SINCERITY".

Jesus gave the example of a poor widow giving a little amount but for her it was a lot, as it is written that "He-saw the rich (ones) throwing their gifts into the treasury. And He-saw (a) certain needy widow throwing two leptos there. And He-said, “Truly I-say (to) you that THIS POOR WIDOW THREW MORE (THAN) ALL. For all these (rich ones) threw into the gifts out-of the (money) abounding (to) them. But this (one), OUT-OF HER LACK, THREW ALL THE LIVING SHE-WAS-HAVING" (Luke 21:1-4). 

The "GIVING" (Romans 12:8) lies in the "grace" (Romans 12:6) which is the impulse behind it, not the amount. 

What about those who are given other's possessions?:

In principle, when someone exercises the spiritual gift of "GIVING" (Romans 12:8), the other person on the receiving end is ultimately accountable to God for what they have been given. 

Jesus said: "(to) everyone WHOM MUCH WAS-GIVEN, MUCH WILL-BE-SOUGHT FROM HIM" (Luke 12:48). 

Early Christian author:

Around the 2nd century AD, a Christian author named Hermas wrote: "from the rewards of your labours, which God gives you, give to all the needy in sincerity, not hesitating as to whom you are to give or not to give. Give to all, for God wishes His gifts to be shared amongst all. They who receive, will render an account to God why and for what they have received. For the afflicted who receive will not be condemned, but they who receive on false pretences will suffer punishment." (Shepherd of Hermas, Commandment 2).

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