The spiritual gifts of giving and hospitality

Giving as a spiritual gift refers to investing with unusual sacrifice and joy in God's kingdom.

Giving to the poor, sharing with those in need, and the Old Testament ideal of tithing resonate with most Christians. We ought to give with the right mindset—not from legalism, self-righteousness, or self-promotion, but instead from a humble heart of gratefulness. Exemplifying this gift with joy in the midst of sacrifice will lead to others following. The amount given doesn’t matter as much as the intention.

For those with this gift, take time to ask the Holy Spirit about where to allocate your resources. Having this gift doesn’t mean saying yes to every request. Always keep the goal in mind: building others up and glorifying God, not yourself. Give without fanfare; give with purpose.

For those who don’t have the gift, again remember to give so that your faith is stretched. It will lead to freedom and open-handedness that should characterize all Christians. Remember, everything we have is a gift from God. It’s all ultimately his. What is he asking you to do with it today?

In Acts 4–5, Barnabas, Ananias, and Sapphira show the gift of giving.

Hospitality means using your home and resources to help others follow Jesus.

Using resources in a way that makes people feel welcome shows hospitality. It means inviting others into your home, but it can also be a part of serving.

Remember the point behind hospitality: loving and welcoming others, not building yourself up. It’s easy for people with this gift to be busy-bodies and make it a form of self-righteousness. The whole point is the people you’re serving and not representing yourself as the cleanest, most perfect person. Don’t just offer hospitality to people you get along with. Invite people to the table who may normally be excluded.

For those without this gift, remember that relationships are the goal of this practice. We ought to be thoughtful of the setting and how to bless each person in a hospitable way. Be open to spending time and money on making your home welcoming.

Reflect on how Lydia demonstrates hospitality in Acts 16.