Helps and Giving—Quiet but Essential Gifts: Gifts in Ministry V
In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul offers a partial list of spiritual gifts given by God to His church: apostleship, prophecy, teaching, miracles, healing, helps, administration, and tongues. Here, among words that we often associate with the term “gifts,” is something that may come as a surprise: Helps. In the church, we have, at times, elevated the more visible gifts of prophecy or teaching, while leading those with the gift of Helps to believe that it is somehow a lesser gift or not a gift at all.
However, Paul doesn’t simply mention helps once in passing. He mentions it again in Romans 12. As he exhorts believers to use their gifts, he lists prophecy, helps (service), teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. On equal footing with leadership is helps.
This quiet, but essential, gift is one that meets the practical needs of others and of the church/organizations in order to enhance, support, or accomplish ministry. One attribute of this particular gift is that many of our “helps” servants do it as such a natural extension of who they are, often having a hard time acknowledging that it and they are essential parts of the Body of Christ. Other indicators of someone with the gift of Helps is that he/she serves willingly, cheerfully, humbly, and wherever needed. They spot needs before others do and are sometimes surprised when other people do not notice the practical behind-the-scenes actions that need taken.
Scriptures that reference Helps or show someone exhibiting this gift:
Luke 10 (Martha making preparations to host Jesus in her home); Acts 6 (seven are chosen to help with distribution of food to widows, to free the apostles to teach and pray); Romans 12 (service); 1 Corinthians 12; 1 Peter 4 (“serving”).
J.K. exhibits this gift. She says, “Using my gift of helps comes so naturally to me and is such a part of who I am, that I don't even think of it as a special gift. I find great joy in helping people when I can--sometimes to the point of "over-doing" it. It has been a learning process for me to learn how far to go, as well as discern what kind of help is appropriate.” Exercising one’s gift takes commitment, time, effort, and God’s discernment as we each seek to be faithful to His leading.
Often concurrent with “Helps”, we see the attitude of humility, shown by this member: “Funny, I didn't think I had the gift of ‘helps’ when I did the [God. Gifts. You.] assessment even though it turned up. My reasoning was that I like to be thanked for my work. Turns out I mostly need to know it was useful or appreciated, but am not particularly comfortable with too much public praise for the things I genuinely enjoy doing.”
J.K. agrees, “I think people with this spiritual gift simply do things that come naturally - and occasionally are surprised that others do not think to do something that comes naturally to us. Those of us with the gift of helps tend to see needs that are not so visible to others - and understanding this is crucial so that we do not become critical of people who seem not to notice the same needs which are so obvious to us. Taking the Your Unique Design class was most enlightening to me because it pointed out why I am the way I am, and inspired me to use these spiritual gifts in new ways.”
In the Roman’s list, Paul also says that Giving is a spiritual gift given to certain members of the church. Yes, we are all called to be faithful stewards of our resources. And, yes, we are all asked to give to God the firstfruits of our labors. However, there are those among us who have an extra measure of this ability to be generous.
As with Helps, Giving people often do not themselves view it as a special “gift” and/or do not wish to receive public recognition for their generosity. One member put it this way, “I find that the people who have the gift of giving usually do not know they have that gift! Giving comes so naturally to them that there is no issue about "giving till it hurts. The gifted giver simply gives as need is perceived.” In fact, this giver told of a time she was gracious to a visitor to our church over 25 years ago (not thinking that she was giving by inviting his family over), and that one gift has multiplied in the life of that family in amazing ways. That long-ago visitor told the giver recently that he has been paying back that gift for 25 years…not back to her, but to others in God’s name.
K. H. also has the gift of Giving. She explains, “It is easy for me to give time and money. It doesn't seem like a burden or make me anxious, whether it's having people live in my house, spending time where there is a need, or giving money - it feels like what God wants me to do--even though others might sometimes advise me to do differently or believe it would be hard for them to do the same thing.” Not only does K.H. give cheerfully and generously, she does it based on “faith that God will provide.”
Praise God for anointing specific people in His church with these gifts of Giving and Helps! Together with the other spiritual gifts given by His Holy Spirit, His Body can function as it is supposed to—with great diversity, yet with powerful unity--to His glory.
If you would like more information about gifts, get the God. Gifts. You. workbook (includes access to six online videos) and review additional resources at GodGiftsYou.com. Shirley Giles Davis is also happy to consult with your church on implementing an effective discovery process that aids in people-engagement. Contact Shirley.