Have you ever noticed how some people light up when they give, while others treat it like just another transaction?
Maybe the difference isn’t in the amount they give—but in how God designed them to give. What if discovering your God-given giving style is the key to finding joy in generosity? Today, Chris Gabriel joins us to unpack the idea of W.I.S.E. Generosity.
Chris Gabriel is a philanthropic leader and financial advisor with over 30 years of experience. A Yale and Oxford graduate, he created the WISEgenerosity framework to help individuals and institutions give well. Chris leads a thriving wealth management practice and is the author of WISEgenerosity: A Guide for Purposeful and Practical Living and Giving.
From Inspiration to Application
Generosity isn’t just about giving money—it’s about connecting your giving to your God-given identity and calling. Generosity is an essential virtue of a life well lived. It’s also perhaps the aspect of God’s nature that’s closest to our own. We’re made in His image, and that means we’re made to give.
While many Christians feel a tug toward generosity, few know how to give in a way that aligns with their values, financial situation, or spiritual identity.
God plants seeds in our hearts, but we also have a responsibility to be wise stewards of our resources. WISEgenerosity is designed to help people take those seeds and apply them intentionally based on their unique circumstances.
The W.I.S.E. Framework
The heart of the book is captured in the acronym W.I.S.E., which stands for:
- Well-Grounded – Giving that is both spiritually rooted and practically planned. It’s based on God’s truth, but also on the real resources and capabilities you have.
- Inspired – This is where giving intersects with personal identity. We each have a unique calling from God, and when our giving aligns with that, it becomes deeply meaningful.
- Satisfying – Generosity brings joy when it flows from being grounded and inspired. The blessings are bountiful, not just for others, but for the giver.
- Effective – This is about wise stewardship—giving in a way that meets real needs and aligns with God’s purposes in the world.
Discovering Your Personal Giving Identity (PGI)
One of the most powerful tools is the Personal Giving Identity (PGI). Much like a personality test, the PGI helps individuals uncover their unique generosity “type” and how it connects to biblical truths.
There are four generosity personalities:
- Focused Givers – Like Joseph, they’re results-driven and strategic.
- Expressive Givers – Like David, they’re creative and people-oriented.
- Considerate Givers – Like Ruth, they’re relational and emotionally attuned.
- Disciplined Givers – Like Daniel, they’re measured, analytical, and intentional.
Each of these biblical characters reflects traits we see in modern givers. When we understand our PGI, we can give in a way that’s aligned, impactful, and joyful.
The PGI tool doesn’t stop with individuals. Couples can benefit from it too. The spousal comparison tool helps partners understand each other’s giving styles and how to complement one another in shared generosity.
God brings couples together to align their capabilities and calling. Understanding how we each approach giving can deepen unity and effectiveness in our marriages.
Strategic and Systematic Giving
While spontaneous giving is beautiful, we also should embrace strategic and systematic g
