Motivatioal Gifts: Exhortation & Giving
Over the last few issues we have been looking at the various Motivational Gifts. This next article focuses on the gifts of exhortation and giving. Please read Romans 12:6-8 for reference.

Exhortation (Encourager)
This is a strong life-related gift, which draws on experience. Unlike the teacher, truth is truth for the exhorter, whether it comes from the Bible or from experience. In fact, the exhorter needs to confirm the truth of Scripture from practical experience. When exhorters speak, they need the full interest and attention of every listener, as the person of their gift. It is the gift of encouragement to personal progress. Biblical Example: Barnabas (Acts 4:36, 11:22-26)

Characteristics
a) They love people. They love to see people growing and maturing
b) They visualise specific achievements, and prescribe sets of action. They see the answer to the problem and then set the steps into action in order to get there
c) They are grieved with teaching which is not practical
d) They have an ability to see how trials can produce new levels of maturity
e) They want to see visible acceptance when they talk to people. They want to see that the people understand what they are saying, and that they have received it and will put it into practice
f)  They teach from human experience
g) They enjoy seeing people take steps of action. They are inclined to become frustrated when people don’t follow through in taking steps to solve their problem
h) They take delight in personal conferences/counselling that produces new insights
i) They are fluent in communication
j) They are loved because of their positive attitude.

Misunderstandings
a) Their emphasis on steps of action may seem to oversimplify the problem
b)Their desire to win non-Christians by example (e.g. family and friends) may appear to be a lack of interest in personal evangelism
c) Their use of Scripture for practical application may be taken out of context
d) Their emphasis on steps of action may seem to show a disregard for the feelings of the person being counselled.

How their counsel will help you
Their counsel will help you to pinpoint causes of problems and take steps towards a solution of those problems.

Giving
The gift of giving can be seen as the gift of ‘special sharing’. The real motivation behind givers is the support of others. One always feels the strong support flowing out of this gift. People who have a strong giving motivation are not gullible – they have insight regarding when and whom to help.
This gift is not restricted to the wealthy: finance is only one concrete expression of this gift. A Biblical example would be Abraham (Gen 12-14) who was prepared to give his son, and also his land to Lot. A perfect example – God gave His son (John 3:16)

Characteristics
a) They have an ability to make money. They also know how to use their money to make wise purchases and sound investments
b) They desire to give to ministries to meet their need (sometimes beyond the local Body). They will be obedient in their own church, but they enjoy giving to the wider Body
c)  They like to motivate others to give
d) They want to meet needs that others overlook
e) They enjoy meeting needs without pressure
f) They experience joy when their gift is an answer to specific prayer
g) They are concerned that their gift should be of high quality
h) They have a desire to feel a part of the work or person to whom they give. They like to feel involved, and that they are co-labouring in some way
i) If married, they depend on their partner’s counsel to confirm the  amount of the gift
j) They will intercede for needs and for the salvation of souls
k) They see hospitality as an opportunity to give.

Misunderstandings
a) They need to deal with large sums of money and may therefore appear carnal
b) Their desire to increase the effectiveness of a ministry by their gift may appear to be an attempt to control the work or person. They may be big givers in the church, and sometimes they may be viewed by the rest of the church Body as trying to manipulate the work of God. This is not true! Their giving is their gifting and involvement – the way in which they co-labour in the Body
c) Their attempt to encourage others to give may appear as stinginess (‘you give!’)
d) Their lack of response to pressure appeals may appear to be stinginess. They respond when they see a genuine need
e) If they live a frugal personal life, they can appear to friends and relatives as selfish in not meeting their wants. Their family often suffers because they pour their finance elsewhere. As a giver, you must remember that your family comes first, but the family must also recognise and understand where this gifting comes from.

How their counsel will help you
Their counsel will help you to reveal the unwise use of assets, (e.g. with budgeting, financing, etc.) and encourage you to give liberally to God’s work.

See next month’s issue for the follow-up article in the Motivational Gifts series.