Understanding Your Motivational Gifts - Part 2

Lesson 3

In our last lesson we studied on the motivational gifts of speaking, which included the motivational gift of a prophet, the teacher and the encourager. In this lesson we will do part 2 of the motivational gifts by examining the motivational gifts of serving.

Generally, a believer who operates in the serving gifts do not operate in the speaking gifts. These gifts generally do not like being seen by others - especially in front of large crowds. As a result, these gifts do not look for public praise, even though these gifts are so vital for the church. They are more comfortable behind the scenes in other practical areas of ministry. In this lesson we will look at the four serving gifts: The Gift of Serving, The Gift of Giving, Administration, and the Gift of Mercy.

Let's begin with the Gift of Serving, which covers many areas. A more practical term for the meaning of the motivational Gift of Serving in many church circles is the Gifts of Helps.That is the wording that I am more familiar with - so I will use that term. The motivational Gifts of Helps covers areas that everyone of us can do because its duties are so practical and varied. In other words, everyone of us, even though we have giftings in other areas, can take the time to help our church leaders in practical ways to lift the burden off of them.

The Motivational Gift of Serving/Ministry of Helps

Rom 12:10-13  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

The Gift of Helps is one of the most essential ministries in the functioning of a church—second only to the role of the pastor and other offices of ministry. It addresses the practical duties required to keep the church running smoothly. The Ministry of Helps comes alongside the pastor, offering support in whatever area is needed. This partnership frees those in leadership or power gift ministries to focus on what God has specifically called them to do.

Our motivations for serving in different areas of ministry vary greatly. But if we take time to look inward and reflect on what we genuinely enjoy doing, we will most certainly discover a ministry within the church that needs our help. The Ministry of Helps is often the area where there are never enough hands to accomplish all that needs to be done.

Importantly, this ministry is not only vital within the church—it is also one of the most needed ministries outside the church. Wherever there is a need, the Gift of Helps brings the heart of service, compassion, and practical support.

The graph shown here to the right gives just a sample of the varied Gifts of Helps that believers can do to help out the leaders of the church, so that all working together can fulfill the call of God of the body.

The Positive Side of the gifts of helps:

• Because there is always a need for this ministry in the church, the availablity is always open to help out in the church or ministries outside the church.
• This motivational gift enjoys meeting the practical needs of others.
• This motivational gift has the ability to see what needs to be done behine the scene and then goes ahead and does it, freeing others to do what God has called them to do.
• This gift does not mind working alone when necessary.
• This gift loves serving people.

Negative side of the gift of helps

The biggest downfall of this motivation gift of helps is the inability to say “no” when necessary. As such, this gift can get burnt out, neglecting family, personal time, and time with the Lord. Balance is the key!

The Motivational Gift of Giving

Rom 12:8b AMP …he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality…

Rom 12:13a AMP Contribute to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]…

 
Giving as a Motivational Gift is most often expressed through financial generosity. While the Word of God instructs us to give cheerfully, God has uniquely gifted and motivated certain individuals to give large sums to the church or to outside ministries. These individuals are often blessed with the ability to generate wealth and make wise investments, all for the purpose of advancing the work of the Lord.

This gift is one of the least likely to be publicly identified, as those who possess it often prefer to give quietly and discreetly to the person or cause of their choosing. This discretion helps prevent others from approaching them with requests for donations. Though they love to be generous and are deeply motivated to give, they exercise wisdom and discernment in choosing where and to whom they give.

This gift is often marked by frugality in personal spending. Those who possess it tend to be successful in business and have the ability to discern and make wise investments.

Positive Side to the Gift of Giving:

• The church is blessed by generous giving.
• Many people are blessed by generous giving. 

Negative Side to the Gift of Giving:

• People often want to take advantage of people who give generously by continuously asking them for help.
• A danger of this gift could be using his/her gift to control people or giving to projects instead of people.

The Motivational Gift of Leading or Administration

Rom 12:8b…he who leads, with diligence…

Administrators are leaders who naturally organize and help others organize, enabling the church to function with optimal efficiency. Leaders can’t help but lead—they are leaders, not followers. In the absence of leadership, a leader will instinctively step in and take charge. A leader-administrator is goal-oriented by nature.

There are two distinct types of administrators:

• Extroverted administrators are relational by design. They enjoy working with people, appointing leadership teams, and organizing volunteers.

• Introverted administrators thrive behind the scenes, planning events and coordinating calendars that serve the entire church.

Both expressions of the administrative gift are essential to the health and effectiveness of the church.

Pastors/elders generally operate in the gift of leadership. While pastors are shepherds over their flock, often having the motivational gift of mercy, some, however, do not have the gift of administration. As such, these pastors need to have administrators under him/her to make sure the church runs efficiently and effectively.

Positive side of the Gift of Administration:

• Whenever people gather together, you must have a leader or else nothing will get done. Leaders are critical for functioning of any group.
• Effective leaders foster a culture of empowerment, allowing individuals to grow and lead within their church community.
• Leaders, such as a pastor or elder, provides guidance, helping members to grow in theier faith journey and apply the Word to the daily lives.
   

Negative side of the gift of administration::

• If there is more than one leader within a church or organization, each must submit to the leader who has been chosen. Otherwise, conflict will arise.
• Not all leadership is healthy. Too often, leadership involves rivalry or jockeying for positions or power. This creates a competitive environmnent that harms the church and undermines its purpose. When leaders priortize personal gain over the well-being of the church and its members, trust is lost, jeopardizing both staff employment and church membership. 
• Many church leaders exhibit toxic behavior, such as micromanagement, lack of trust, and blaming others for their mistakes. These practices are deeply harmful to the church and its staff. 
• Because all church staff should be living according to the Word of God, there may be some—especially among the leadership—who do not practice what they preach. This leads to confusion and disappointment among church members.

The Motivational Gift of Mercy

Romans 12:8, “…he who does acts of mercy, [let him do it] with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.”

God has gifted some believers to sense hurt and respond to the emotional and spiritual needs of others. This gift reflects God's love enabling individuals to show compassion and kindness to those in need. It involves practical help, a listening ear, or emotional support.You will often find this gift in operation that serve the sic, the poor, and the grieving.

 The Positive side of the Gift of Mercy:

This gift plays an important role in the church community, fostering an atmosphere of love, care and concern where the hurting find solace and understanding during difficult times. This gift acts as a conduit in connecting and supporting a loving community.

The Negative Side of the Gift of Mercy:

Sadly this gift is probably the most used and abused gift of all. Often people take advantage of this gift in operation. The hardest thing for a person with the gift of mercy is to say "no" to someone who appears to be in need. 

Self-centered people can immediate pick out someone who has a gift of mercy to take advantage of them. How do you deal with these kind of people?  When you minister out to others by serving them with your motivation gift(s) you feel satisfied and fulfilled because of the motivation that God instilled within you. It was all done by the power of God working in you.  If you feeling being used by people, go to the Lord. He may be telling you to say no to certain people. 

In Conclusion

Motivational gifts are given to the whole Body of Christ - all designed to give glory to God. God designed the church to flow together in harmony - each doing their own part. When you minister out to others by serving them with your motivation gift(s) you feel satisfied and fulfilled because of the motivation that God instilled within you. It was all done by the power of God working in you. So stir up the gift of God within you.

Then do so without fear, going forth with power and a sound sound mind knowing God is using you mightily.

 2 Tim 1:6-7 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

In our next lesson, we will move into examining the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.