Witnessing Styles

When you are witnessing to others it will help if you can take a different approach to people depending on the motivational gift of the person you are witnessing to. Each person will have a different need:

A prophet is likely to see easily their need to repent and make salvation a deliberate choice of their will.

A server will be attracted by the good works of Jesus and be challenged by his need to do good works also.

A teacher will want to have his questions answered before he can make a decision.

An exhorter will be challenged by your testimony and the changes he sees in you.

A giver will be excited by the promise of the gospel and what is available for them.

A leader will examine the overall meaning of the gospel and the purpose for their life.

The carer will respond to the message of God's love and the love shown to them.

Definitions

One who loves to give time, talents, energy and finances to support others and advance the gospel.

The Spirit's gift to give regularly, generously and cheerfully to those in need.

The special ability to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness, regardless of economic resources.

The Greek word used in Roams 12 is `metadidomi' from meta, together, and didomi, to give or supply. So the meaning is to share with others. It is the way that givers give that helps us to see their motivational gift.

NT Examples

Matthew =Levi (all gospels)

Zacchaeus [Luke 19:1-10]

Mary of Bethany [John 11:1-12:8]

The poor widow [Mark 12:41-44]

Dorcas [Acts 10:1-31]

Cornelius [Acts 10:1-31]

Lydia [Acts 16:14,40]

Characteristics

1. Arms of the body
The giver is the arms of the body that is reaching out to both receive and give. The giver above all wants to give of themselves. The giver is the most spontaneous of all people. They are free and impulsive. They give a lot to life, and expect to receive a lot from life. They may be generous to a fault.

The giver gives the best they are able to give, because they see it as giving of themselves to the Lord. eg Mary of Bethany, Zacchaeus. They see themselves as vehicles for the Lord to use for the distribution of his resources, for they are convinced everything belongs to him.

Giving may be in the form of money or possessions, time and effort. Along with the servers they quickly volunteer to help where there is a practical need. Givers are very aware of blessings they receive. eg Mary of Bethany was open to sit at the feet of Jesus and to learn from him.

2. Welcoming and hospitable
Along with the server, they have the gift of hospitality. They are particularly welcoming of others. eg Martha and Mary. [John 11:21,32]. Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus into his home with great joy. [Luke 1-10]

3. Givers make friends easily
They are the kindliest of all personalities. Givers make friends easily because to their ability to give themselves. eg Cornelius. Mary of Bethany had many friends who came to her when Lazarus died. [John 11:45] The giver loves to be personally involved in the giving rather than give to a budget. Givers desire to give to people rather than projects. The kindness of the giver is often expressed to children and also animals. St. Francis of Assisi is a good example of this.

4. Desire to give secretly
Particularly more introverted givers are very reluctant for others to know of their giving. Givers want their blessing to come from the Lord. [Matthew 6:3]. Of all the seven motivational gifts this is the one who is least likely to identify what their own gift is. Extraverted givers want to enjoy the good life, and of course share it with others, but introverted givers are likely to want to live a simple lifestyle. eg St. Francis.

5. They enjoy being in business
A giver's motivation is to see that others have the resources they need for the work of the Lord. also their desire to give themselves means that they make good sales-people. These abilities can be carried over into business, they make very good treasurers. However, because they tend to be impulsive they may not be very good organisers and planners. They tend to see things in terms of the present situation rather than future needs. A giver resists appeals to give, but receives guidance more often than others about who or how they should give. Matthew and Zacchaeus were both tax collectors before the Lord called them into higher service.

6. Able to motivate others to give.
Givers are able to see the blessing that comes from giving and desire others to share in that blessing. Matthew gospel has a lot of teaching that encourages people to a greater faith in giving themselves. eg parables of the sower, mustard seed and the hidden treasure. [Matthew ch13]

How to Grow in Giving

Any effective use of the gift of giving depends on having a genuine love for the Lord.

Remain open to the Holy Spirit and join in regular worship so that you receive as much as possible. You won't be able to give without receiving first.

Learn as much as you can about the needs of the church so that you can better evaluate the wisest use of your giving.

Because you are able to more quickly see the financial needs of others or of ministries, you need to share your insights with others in the Body of Christ.

You don't always have to give secretly, but give openly when appropriate in order to give glory to the Lord and encourage others.

Encourage others in their giving.

Go next to section 7.

To go back to the home page.