Gifts of Service

HE SPEAKS THROUGH GRACE GIFTS

Eph 4:7 NKJV

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Rom 12:6 NKJV

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us...

The grace gifts are what some people call innate talents. Although we can receive promotions of new grace gifts, most people with grace gifts are born with them. They find certain traits within their personalities naturally natural, innate, intuitive and a part of their personality traits in how they respond to and enjoy life.

If you look at children born within families, you can understand this as you watch them grow up. I remember a two year old who would cry when his socks were not rolled together and color coded in sections! His siblings were not at all like he was, in fact his brother who shared a room with him was very messy. Growing up I watched him keep his side of the room organized and he became a successful Engineer.

The Gift of Giving is not a one time gift, even if it is substantial gift of sacrifice. The Gift of Giving is receiving the part of God’s heart that is very generous, for He is the Father of all good gifts. Having a generous heart to give is a passion and innate part of a person’s motive for living. It covers one’s time, services, desires, gifts, talents and their very self.

The Gift of Giving is usually active in all those who regularly participate in the service/ ministry gifts. The Gift of Giving is the motivation to minister to physical, practical, financial, material, and spiritual needs:

Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'

Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise."

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established

I am reminded of one particular lady who has always been a “giver.” When she was affluent, she gave of her finances and gave an over abundance of expensive gifts to those around her. Then when difficult times came, (one time I found out her family had lived on potatoes for a week) she continued to give cards, a quick phone call, and hand made articles. When even harder times came, and she was out of work, she gave of her life’s energy and helped clean, organize and paint a sickly person’s home. Why did she do this? Because the gift to give was deeply entrenched in her heart. It was the most natural thing in the world to give of her substance, and when that was too small, she gave her labor. Her gift to give is an extension of the Lord’s generous heart.

The best kind of giving is not with outward flashy show, but rather with humility as this gives grace and dignity to the one who receives. It also restrains pride in the giver.

The Word says, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them...do not sound a trumpet before you...But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing: that your charitable deed may be in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV)

A giver is to give without strings attached. Giving without expectation of anything in return will release the giver to give abundantly and with joy. If the giver has expectations of receiving, this road will lead to disappointment, unforgiveness, grudges, and finally bitterness. Expectations also hinder and restrain the receiver from the joy of receiving. Instead, the receiver is given chains and locks when the gift was meant to be a blessing.

The Gift of Service or Ministry is the ability to see and carry out things that are necessary on a practical level. It has the ability to see a public need and the authority to meet the need on a corporate level and also a personal level. A corporate level means that the gift not only ministers to the tangible needs of one person, but also to many.

We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program," they said. "Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business.

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

People who are heads of departments, like a Head Nurse, or Photo Department of a large store have this gift to see the public need and then authority to fill the need. Managers of businesses, Administrative assistants and Supervisors, Superintendants also operate in the Gift of Service. They see a corporate public need that is not being met and then they have the liberty to fill that need.

This gift can be like a waitress in a restaurant. A good waitress oversees her tables, foreseeing needs before they occur. Being quick to respond to the task, she also asks if anyone needs anything she might have overlooked.

People who have the Gift of Service enjoy doing the nitty-gritty things, being practical and down-to-earth. Their ministry is a gift to people in physical need. They also liberate others to be able to stay in the realm of prayer and ministry of the Word. Because those with the Gift of Service feel great zeal and satisfaction in giving their gift, they need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit if He should desire to say no. It could be the Lord’s will for the needy person to receive in another way, at another time. Also the giver’s own family should not be neglected. It should be considered that people with the Gift of Service often suffer burnout because the human body is vulnerable and weak. A proper assessment of the gift, how it is to be given and how much to give, needs to be in balance, always in accordance with His will.

I know a precious gal who has the Gift of Service. She has a true servant’s heart. I sat beside her during a service and because it was going to be an especially long one, I’d brought my little step stool to rest my feet upon and some water to drink. When I arrived, I placed my things under my chair, and went off to visit. Finally I sat down at my chair and she made sure my stool was right there, and my water was accessible. I mentioned that she had the Gift of Service, and I’m not sure what she thought. A little while later the guest speaker needed a glass of water. Guess who jumped from her seat so fast that no one else had time to even think about it? I laughed and said “SEE???” She looked surprised as though to say, “Well maybe I do at that.” Then during one particular time I got a little teary. It took about 2 seconds and she had a Kleenex in my hands. I said, “SEEEEEEE???????” I think she finally agreed. The point to this story is that her gift is so imbedded inside that it is merely an extension of her personality. That is the true nature of having Jesus inside us. Much of what we have to give seems like just our normal personalities, but it really is Jesus. We can see how out of the ordinary this precious gal’s heart is, but she had a difficult time visualizing it. May the Lord open our eyes to our own gifts and to the beautiful gifts of others. May we see Jesus.

The Gift of Helps is the ability to render assistance, (spiritual, physical, etc.). It is that place that works along side of another, like participating on a team laboring together for a common cause. The word helps in the Greek {# 484} means to give relief, participate, help, partaker, support.

Then I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.

I saw a precious example of this in the hiring of the disabled. One day my husband and I stopped into a fast food restaurant for lunch. The gal who took our order was ssssooooooo slow. I observed her, wondering what age she was, and thinking she had an extremely precious spirit. I was surprised to see her at the front counter taking orders, especially at the noon rush. As she finally punched in the order and called it out back, I saw the little smiles on the sandwich makers, and I also saw the manager’s grin as she peeked around her shoulder. From the back I heard, “Way to go Lori!!” She lit up like a light bulb with a huge smile. She put her hands in the air and said, “YES!!!” I laughed with her and asked, “Is this your first week?” She said, “I am really learning. I am learning really good. I am really learning this, and this is my 3rd week!” I was so touched by her innocence and pure spirit.

As I looked for a clean table, which is difficult to find during a rush, I immediately noticed that every empty table was spotless. I arranged our things and waited for my husband to bring our order. As I waited, I watched the cleanup gal. She moved so slow it was like watching everything in slow motion. She went from here to there, in no particular order, polishing things with her rag. As I was marveling at the fact this fast food franchise would hire these people at rush hour, I saw the true beauty of how each person’s gift in the body of Christ is supposed to function. This precious cleaning lady did her job well, and I knew she was fulfilled in doing it. Someone else might really be stressed and unhappy doing it, but she was content. As I thought this, she wandered to the garbage can lid and started polishing it! (How many fast food restaurants have clean garbage can lids during rush?) Just then another person came out with his broom and swept a little place in back, then disappeared. And last, when the order arrived, a girl carefully read the number on the ticket, and announced it with obvious care. (How many times have you heard someone call out your number as though it was the most important number in the world?) I was so touched by this portrayal of kingdom ministry working in harmony and in a loving atmosphere.

My husband has the wonderful Gift of Helps. I appreciate his sacrifices and time so much. He always looks for things in the house that need to be done so that I can write full time. He takes a lot of effort to do the dishes and put them away. It saves me at least an hour every day.

Here is a testimony of a QW Class member. You can tell that by nature she is a giver and helper: “Helps - A lady in her sixties, I helped her move and took her to the doctor the other day. If there's a need that I can help with and it is within my ability and I can make room in my schedule for it, I do it. (With helps - if I can help someone and it is not going to overwhelm my schedule I help them. I don't spend a lot of time asking God whether I should help someone if it is in my ability to help)”

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Along the same lines of the Gift of Service is the Gift of Hospitality. The above verse says for everyone to be hospitable. However, there are those who are gifted with this.

People with the Gift of Hospitality are naturally friendly, open and interested in connecting the people. The Gift of Hospitality does not necessarily mean opening one’s home for a guest. It is actually making an effort for one who is away from home to feel at home. They go out of their way to welcome them, make them feel wanted, appreciated, celebrated, settled, or comfortable. The Gift of Hospitality can be a smile, a handshake, offering a chair to someone, a cup of tea, talking with people to make them feel welcome. Those with the Gift of Hospitality also have special yearnings to open their own home to provide a warm welcome for those in need of lodging. I have often been in the homes of these people who are the first to recognize your need and make their resources available.

You can see those with the Gift of Hospitality operating as hostesses at parties, restaurants, and meetings.... greeters in church, ushers finding seats, Bell hops in hotels, Bed and Breakfast owners, and other similar positions.

“The Lord has given me the gift of hospitality. At work I am a fundraiser and I appreciate and recognize people for their generosity and service. At home, I use the gift of hospitality having a loving home with three step-daughters and an exchange student from Korea. At church, I am a teacher.

I also function in the gifts of service and helps at work, at church and keeping a loving home for my family.

Personally, I have been blessed with a miracle to have second-chance at life with more than 10 years of recovery from alcoholism and born again in 2000. I’ve lived 100% in my own selfish and did whatever I wanted for years. This took me to a hard bottom. Living God’s way is 1 million times better. I consider myself a God-chaser and desire to know Him more dearly and nearly every day. I also have a pretty amazing life, glory to God!”

I know a lady who uses the gift of hospitality in her sales position. She lands new accounts, then visits them regularly after her company is servicing them. She buys boxes of pizza and pop and brings them into the offices! They LOVE to see her coming.