Biblical Spiritual Gift of Contributing

The biblical spiritual gift of contributing represents one of the essential supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to certain believers within the Christian church. This gift enables individuals to provide financial and material resources with extraordinary generosity and joy, going far beyond normal Christian giving to support God’s work and help those in need.

Understanding the Gift of Contributing

The spiritual gift of contributing appears in Romans 12:8, where Paul instructs that “the one who contributes” should do so “in generosity.” The Greek word translated “contributing” means literally “to share” or “to give,” but when given as a spiritual gift, it represents a supernatural ability that goes beyond the ordinary Christian duty to give. While all believers are called to be generous givers, those with this specific gift demonstrate an exceptional capacity and desire to provide financial support for ministry and charitable causes.

This gift differs from regular tithing or offering that all Christians should practice. The spiritual gift of contributing involves a God-given ability to give with extraordinary joy, wisdom, and effectiveness. Those with this gift often possess keen insight about where their resources can make the greatest impact for God’s kingdom.

Biblical Examples and Characteristics

The New Testament provides several clear examples of people who demonstrated the gift of contributing. Luke introduces us to women who financially supported Jesus and the disciples’ ministry, including “Mary (called Magdalene), Joanna the wife of Chuza, Susanna, and many others” who “were helping to support them out of their own means.” These women used their personal resources to enable the ministry to continue effectively.

Barnabas serves as another powerful example when he “sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” His generous contribution helped meet the needs of the early church community during a critical time of growth and development.

How the Gift Operates

Those with the gift of contributing often demonstrate several key characteristics. They may be good stewards of what they have and show prudence in investing and entrepreneurship, though they can be wealthy or of modest means. The churches of Macedonia gave out of their “very severe trial” and “extreme poverty,” showing that this gift is not limited to the wealthy. The widow who offered her two small copper coins at the temple gave all she had, and Jesus pointed out her generosity as exceeding what anyone else was doing.

People with this gift frequently experience joy in giving rather than viewing it as a burden or obligation. They often have supernatural wisdom about where to direct their resources for maximum kingdom impact. They may also possess unusual ability to accumulate resources specifically for the purpose of generous giving.

Purpose and Spiritual Dimensions

Like all spiritual gifts, contributing serves to build up the body of Christ and advance God’s kingdom rather than bring personal glory or recognition. The example of Ananias and Sapphira warns against giving to be seen by others or for personal recognition. The gift operates through the Holy Spirit’s power, meaning that even generous giving becomes a God-given act of grace that goes beyond the giver’s usual offering.

The gift often manifests through donations to ministries and para-ministries for campaigns or capital needs, trusts and wills with specified amounts earmarked for missions and churches, and investments in new ministry opportunities toward which God leads. Those with this gift may establish foundations, fund church plants, support missionaries, or provide resources for major ministry initiatives.

Contemporary Application

Today, the gift of contributing continues to serve the church through various expressions. Some people with this gift become major donors to Christian organizations, while others consistently support local church ministries beyond normal tithing expectations. The gift may manifest through funding Christian education, supporting church building projects, or providing resources for evangelistic outreach.

The gift proves especially valuable in enabling churches and ministries to expand their reach and impact. Those with this gift often work behind the scenes, providing the financial foundation that allows other spiritual gifts to flourish and ministry to advance effectively.

The spiritual gift of contributing serves as a vital foundation for church health and ministry expansion. Through this gift, believers receive supernatural ability and joy in providing financial resources that enable the gospel to spread, the church to grow, and those in need to receive practical help and spiritual care.

References

Romans 12:8 and Luke 8:1-3 from the English Standard Version
Acts 4:36-37 and Mark 12:41-44 from the English Standard Version
2 Corinthians 8:1-4 and other biblical passages on generous giving
GotQuestions.org articles on the spiritual gift of giving and generosity