~ 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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