Leadership Gifts - Giving

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.” Romans 12:6, 8

The gift of giving (or contributing) is often not seen as a leadership gift. However, this powerful gift, if used with wisdom and discernment can be a significant platform from which to lead. Notice the qualifier that Paul places on this gift…. Let him give generously. If a leader has been given this spiritual gift, he/she needs to exercise it with generosity - freedom and joy.

Giving involves stewardship and in the larger context this giving/stewardship involves money, time, talents, resources, emotions, etc. but for the purpose of this blog, I will only be able address the more financial aspects of giving.

The leader-giver has been given the ability to make wise purchases and investments. The decisions of finance hold a keen interest for this leader. These leader are simply good at managing, increasing, investing, and assessing things of value. They are the green thumbs of growing the garden of financial stability. But this gift goes beyond strong financial practices and lands on a spiritual sensitivity to God’s direction and will for the organization. The leader-giver is often a prayer warrior, seeking God’s peace in the midst of decisions involving money/resource/facility.

In the control center of the leader-giver, there is a desire to avoid publicity; to give quietly and behind-the-scenes for effective projects; to support the mission and to encourage others by meeting the practical needs of the greater good. Their eyes and ears are attuned to valid gaps and unfilled holes… they often see and hear things that others would miss. They often possess the mental skills of a building inspector, a human resource director, and an architect. The leader-giver not only sees and hears differently but he/she is driven to help solve the problems revealed through the sights and sounds of the ministry.

The leader-giver enjoys meeting needs without the pressure of appeals. In fact, an appeal has a negative impact of the leader-giver. Instead of motivating him/her to give it discourages his gift. The giver often desires to find the need, evaluate the concern, sense a freedom to contribute to the solution without pressure, and be able to give in a quiet unassuming way. An appeal for money tends to weaken the spirit of generosity that motivates this leader.

The leader-giver has a high sense of quality and a great concern that his/her gift be used to ensure the highest possible result. He/she strives for excellence and understands the value of quality products, facilities, people and programs. Buying the cheapest is not always the best. The leader-giver will often test the faithfulness and wisdom of the organization by how people in that organization handle funds. There is alertness on the part of this leader to observe what other people do with their money. If he/she oversees a budget or if he/she holds others accountable for spending, this leader will be aggressive to provide a rich program of financial opportunities for others, but will also require planned spending while emphasizing quality and responsibility. Integrity….honesty…. and godly strategy are critical for the leader-giver to be effective.

Sometimes this leader is seen as the person with the deep pockets or the sugar daddy that deals only at the corporate board table, but the leader-giver often has a deep desire to feel a part of the work or person to whom he gives. This gift is not one of estrangement, but one of involvement. The leader-giver is committed to the mission…. concerned about the organization over the long-term… has a personal investment in the overarching purpose of the ministry. There is a significant difference in the area of involvement between a leader-giver and a donor. A donor might be motivated for any number of reason to give to an organization, but the leader-giver is driven by his/her deep desire to meet the needs that he/she sees everyday within the institution.

Leader-givers need to be careful in several areas as they exercise their gift. One, they can appear to be focused only on temporal values and come across to others as lacking spiritual dependence on God. Two, their generosity can also appear to be an attempt to control the work of other leaders. And, in fact, the misuse of this gift could lead to the manipulation and control of others to accomplish the agenda of the giver. Three, the leader-giver has an ability to motivate others to give, but he/she needs to be careful not to put inappropriate pressure on people who have less to give. Four, this gift often results in the practice of personal frugality – the leader-giver gives generously to others but greatly restricts his/her own personal spending. This can result in failing to adequately provide for his/her family.

This gift…the leader-giver… fulfills such a vital perspective in any organization. Whether the leader-giver serves as the CEO or a middle manager or a team leader, this individual makes things happen. If this is the way that God has gifted you, may your generosity flow and may you experience great joy as you contribute to the needs of others.