The gift of giving is often understood as the giving of material resources[1]. Even if we accept this view the ESFP is clearly the best giver:
The ESFP, however, manifests a more complete picture of giving than most descriptions of the gift of giving do. Rather than ‘The generous contribution of material resources,’ the ESFP approach to giving is ‘a spontaneous and compassionate response to the needs of others.’ ESFPs not only respond with their material resources, they freely give their energy, time, and emotional support. “They tend to be very generous and may give too much of themselves, their time and their possessions...they tend to be terrific impulsive givers[3].” The meaning of the Greek word for the gift of giving suggests this kind of giving:
A giver’s ability to respond to the needs of others shows up most clearly during emergencies, when giving is most needed to relieve the suffering of others: “ESFPs are at their best when responding to crises. They especially work well with people in situations calling for immediate action and finding solutions to exciting problems[5].”
Just as ESFPs are quick to respond, they love getting a response from their giving, and will give just to make others happy:
If this analysis is correct and ESFPs are our gifted givers, then the common view that they should tithe more than the basic 10% may be an impediment to the full use of their gift. A major part of an ESFPs ability is their capacity to identify needs as they arise and their instinct in knowing who is truly in need. Regular giving to the church is vital, but when they tie up their extra income in a scheduled form of giving, their ability to use their resources for the needs of the moment becomes diminished. The same resources in the hands of a church committee would not find their mark with the speed and instinctive accuracy that an ESFP could produce.
Summary: For each of the sixteen personality types there is a theme or set of related themes that run through the various descriptions of that type. For the ESFP performing shows up as the primary theme, with giving as a secondary theme. The performing can be that of being on stage or simply entertaining anyone in their company. Perhaps it is not too much of a stretch to say that some of the ESFPs greatest gifts comes through their playful entertaining: joy, humor, and a respite from the worries of life. The gift of giving is, therefore, a decent to good match with the ESFP personality.
References
[1] See for example Peter Wagner, Your Spiritual Gifts can Help Your Church Grow (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1979), 96; Kenneth Kinghorn, Gifts of the Spirit (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1976), 90; Hohensee and Odell, Your Spiritual Gifts(Wheaton, Il.: Victor, 1992), 35.
[2] Keirsey and Bates, Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types (Del Mar, CA: Prometheus Nemesis 1978), 199.
[3] Olaf Isachsen and Linda Berens, Working Together: A Personality Centered Approach to Management (Coronado, CA: Neworld Management Press, 1988), 160-161.
[4] Tim Blanchard, A Practical Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Gifts (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1983), 29.
[5] Isachsen and Berens, 149.
[6] Sandra Hirsh and Jean Kummerow, Lifetypes (New York, Warner Books, 1989), 155.
ESFPs can be generous to a fault. What is theirs is yours, and what is yours is yours still. They give assistance to one and all without expectation of a return, just as they love freely without expecting something in return[2].
The ESFP, however, manifests a more complete picture of giving than most descriptions of the gift of giving do. Rather than ‘The generous contribution of material resources,’ the ESFP approach to giving is ‘a spontaneous and compassionate response to the needs of others.’ ESFPs not only respond with their material resources, they freely give their energy, time, and emotional support. “They tend to be very generous and may give too much of themselves, their time and their possessions...they tend to be terrific impulsive givers[3].” The meaning of the Greek word for the gift of giving suggests this kind of giving:
The biblical word for “giving” (Romans 12:8) is translated from the compound Greek word metadidomi. It is made up of two parts: meta, “in the midst of, in association or fellowship”; and didomi, “to give.” The parts combine to mean “to give in association with others.” It implies that the giving is not done objectively or coldly, but within the context of a spiritual relationship[4].
A giver’s ability to respond to the needs of others shows up most clearly during emergencies, when giving is most needed to relieve the suffering of others: “ESFPs are at their best when responding to crises. They especially work well with people in situations calling for immediate action and finding solutions to exciting problems[5].”
Just as ESFPs are quick to respond, they love getting a response from their giving, and will give just to make others happy:
One ESFP learned with time that her effusive gift giving was perceived by her mate as an obligation to match her style. It had never occurred to the ESFP that her husband felt challenged to keep up with her. She simply enjoyed giving.[6]
If this analysis is correct and ESFPs are our gifted givers, then the common view that they should tithe more than the basic 10% may be an impediment to the full use of their gift. A major part of an ESFPs ability is their capacity to identify needs as they arise and their instinct in knowing who is truly in need. Regular giving to the church is vital, but when they tie up their extra income in a scheduled form of giving, their ability to use their resources for the needs of the moment becomes diminished. The same resources in the hands of a church committee would not find their mark with the speed and instinctive accuracy that an ESFP could produce.
Summary: For each of the sixteen personality types there is a theme or set of related themes that run through the various descriptions of that type. For the ESFP performing shows up as the primary theme, with giving as a secondary theme. The performing can be that of being on stage or simply entertaining anyone in their company. Perhaps it is not too much of a stretch to say that some of the ESFPs greatest gifts comes through their playful entertaining: joy, humor, and a respite from the worries of life. The gift of giving is, therefore, a decent to good match with the ESFP personality.
References
[1] See for example Peter Wagner, Your Spiritual Gifts can Help Your Church Grow (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1979), 96; Kenneth Kinghorn, Gifts of the Spirit (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1976), 90; Hohensee and Odell, Your Spiritual Gifts(Wheaton, Il.: Victor, 1992), 35.
[2] Keirsey and Bates, Please Understand Me: Character and Temperament Types (Del Mar, CA: Prometheus Nemesis 1978), 199.
[3] Olaf Isachsen and Linda Berens, Working Together: A Personality Centered Approach to Management (Coronado, CA: Neworld Management Press, 1988), 160-161.
[4] Tim Blanchard, A Practical Guide to Finding Your Spiritual Gifts (Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1983), 29.
[5] Isachsen and Berens, 149.
[6] Sandra Hirsh and Jean Kummerow, Lifetypes (New York, Warner Books, 1989), 155.
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