Redemptive Gift of Giver

Redemptive Gift of Giver

Warren Buffett is a good example of the Redemptive Gift of Giver.

There’s a video of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates answering the questions of graduate students.

And as you watch this video, you often see him laugh as a question is asked. This isn’t an exhorter trying make a connection with those around him; he’s not trying to create fun or inclusion.

It’s an attempt to keep things light, not deep and serious. Givers don’t want to talk about what makes them tick — they aren’t introspective by nature. This, I think, is part of what gives off an “independant” feel that givers carry.

Their focus is in finding resources and launching endeavors, not looking inward and trying to figure out how they feel about it.

Warren Buffett’s license plate says “Thrifty” on it, yet he is a multi-billionaire. He drives an old pickup truck and lives in a relatively modest house.

Now just as the servant doesn’t have a need to lead and build their own kingdom, a giver doesn’t have the need to be introspective.

The giver can be one of the harder gifts to recognize because they can look like any other gift and can be good at lots of things. Yet, they are almost always marked by an independent spirit.

 

Jehovah Roha

Many of us know this translated to be “The Lord is my Shepherd.” This name of God is expressed in Psalms 23, where He is a shepherd that leads people to the resource of still waters and green pastures.

 

What makes a Giver tick?

Drive – Resource others. They look to connect with others for the purpose of finding a resource or supplying one, not just for the pure enjoyment of it. Because they are looking to launch and birth things, they are quite knowledgeable, but not like a teacher gift. They’re seeking answers for how to turn profits or make something work more efficiently.

The characteristics of giver flow from this drive:

• Independent, not needy
• Finds solutions and resources for problems — don’t have a victim mentality
• Non-confrontational
• Seeks the comfort and security of their family

Strength – Lives in the present, not overly introspective. Givers do exceptionally well at finding and managing resources. They usually are willing to take chances if something can be gained by doing so.

 

Weakness – Ownership instead of stewardship. The means of finding and managing those resources can be done in their own strength and power, not God’s. Since birthing new streams of resources comes naturally to the giver, they can become controlling in this, as an owner rather than a steward.

 

Wrap Up

A giver’s success will be found in developing their ability to trust God even though it is not natural for them to feel needy. Givers tend to make good businessmen and managers. They are usually hard workers who are able to handle pressures and conflicts without getting too personally involved. Much of what they are after is security and safety for their family and future generations — which can be both a strength and a weakness.

 

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