Spiritual Gifts, 16

 ~ The Spiritual Gift of Helps ~

Opening Comment  ~  “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18). 

Serving Gifts  ~  Within the Service Sector we compare the Spiritual Gift of Serving with non-profit organizations in society.  The Gift of Going / Mercy is likened to Missionaries, while the Gift of Helps could be likened to food banks and similar organizations. 

Definition  ~  “The God-given ability to see tasks and to do them for or with someone in order to lift external burdens” –Pastor Loren Fischer

Scripture  ~  “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.  And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:27-29).

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8).

Examples  ~  In today’s world this includes kitchen workers (cooking, baking, etc.) for others.  It includes sewing as a ministry for others.  Ushering for the body of Christ is a help spiritual gift, as is setting up chairs and tables.  Providing transportation for others certainly falls into this category.

Biblical Example  ~  “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.  This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.  But it happened in those days that she became sick and died.  When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.  And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.  Then Peter arose and went with them.  When he had come, they brought him to the upper room.  And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them” (Acts 9:36-39).

Traits  ~  Those with the gift of helps typically, 1) enjoy working on a job (but may expect to be told exactly what the task requires), 2) sometimes find it difficult to stick with a long project without frequent encouragement, 3) tend to prefer routine duties where the responsibility is clearly specified, 4) take orders well and support projects (but seldom assume leadership), and 5) do things without help (but often finds it difficult to accept from others). 

Closing Comments  ~  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine.  Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).

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

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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