There is a set of gifts given in Romans Ch 12 vs 4 to 8: (from New International Version)
4. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have the same function, 5. so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all others. 6. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.
If a man's gift is prophesying, let use it in proportion to his faith.
7. If it is in serving, let him serve;
if it is in teaching, let him teach;
8. if it is encouraging, let him encourage;
if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
These gifts are given to
Christians in order that we as a body will have all the qualities
listed.
We can find all of these qualities in Jesus' life, but
each of us will have one of these gifts as a primary
characteristic or quality.
As we grow in Christ, and our minds
are renewed, then we acquire at least some other gifts as
secondary qualities.
As we are aware of these gifts, we can learn
to use them, and use them more effectively.
My own primary gift
is leadership, but when required, I am a good encourager. With my wife (Valerie) we have made a quality decision to contribute to the needs of others.
My wife is a server, but when discussing moral issues she can be very prophetic, whereas I tend to show
mercy. We can both teach.
These gifts have been added to us
over a long christian life as we have learnt more about that life.
It is interesting to see how we complement each other. They are
known as 'motivational gifts' because these traits are the main
characteristics that motivate what we do and how we do it.
Here is a
list of the gifts with the positive qualities and some of the
problems. In all these lists, not all prophets (for example) will
show all the characteristics shown, but you should be able to
identify your own gifts fairly readily by recognising a majority
of traits (and possibly the problems) from one of the gifts, in
addition to isolated traits from most of the other gifts.
These lists
are not exhaustive or definitive, you may find other versions of
this list with the qualities expressed in different ways.
1. Frank, speaks boldly.
2. Has insight into people's motives.
3. Identifies evil, enabling the body to deal with sin.
4. Experiences brokeness over sin, interceeding for the sins of the people.
5. Often use scriptural validation.
6. Seeks evidence of change that someone has turned from sin.
7. Concerned for the reputation of the church.
8. Like to be told their own 'blind spots'; places were they are 'missing it'.
1. Often too harsh, and must learn to speak the truth in love.
2. Too interested in groups and forget the individual.
3. Love to use gimmicks in order to teach.
4. Like to see dramatic changes and don't allow people to change gradually.
5. Have difficulty having close friends
6. Use of scriptural validation can be misplaced, eg condemning make-up.
1. They know the likes and dislikes of others.
2. Detect practical needs in the body.
3. Meet practical needs quickly and do not procrastinate.
4. Have a lot of physical stamina and will work all night to get the job done.
5. Will use personal funds to cut 'red tape'.
6. Need sincere appreciation of the work done.
7. Do extra work.
8. Like short range goals as they cannot organise for the long term.
1. Appear to be pushy and push others out of their jobs.
2. Avoid red tape, but sometimes go ahead with a project that is to be stopped.
3. Get upset with others who are not servers.
4. Find it difficult to receive service from others.
5. Get hurt when not appreciated, must learn to do things 'unto the Lord'
6. Their desire to help can interfere with God's plans.
7. Sidetracted into others needs and miss God's plan for themselves.
8. Get so involved that they neglect the word.
9. Get too involved and can't say no.
1. They are called to teach.
2. Love words and word studies.
3. Test the knowledge of those who teach, asking if it is scriptural.
4. Love to do research.
5. Validate all new information against the Word of God.
6. Teach systematically, eg points 1, 2, 3......
7. Love to teach with scriptural illustrations.
1. Tend to emphasise scriptural interpretation, and are often not understood.
2. Depend too much on book research, neglecting the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.
3. May appear prideful when testing other teachers.
4. Can give too research detail, and become boring.
5. Often lack warmth because they are too analytical.
1. They desire to see steps of action, 1. 2. 3... when counselling.
2. Excited when people take these steps
3. Like to teach on tribulation, looking for a scriptural lesson in everything.
4. Like individual acceptance because they are people orientated.
5. Teach from human experience, relating it to the word.
6. Want practical applications that apply to life, not information.
7. Grieved by teaching that is not practical, because people's needs are not met.
8. They love conferences and counselling.
1. Their emphasis on steps of action may over simplify the problem, and this can cause offence when people think the problem is more complex.
2. Desire to win christians by example only.
3. Use of scripture for practical application may take it out of context.
1. They have an ability to make money.
2. They desire to give large amounts into ministry.
3. Like to motivate others to give.
4. Meet the needs otherwise overlooked.
5. Enjoy meeting needs without being pressured.
6. Have great joy when their gift is an answer to prayer.
7. Depend easily on God to meet their financial need.
8. Always concerned that their gift is off high quality.
9. Desire to be part of the work, or ministry that they give to.
1. Appear 'carnal' to others because they deal easily with large sums.
2. Often desire to control the work they give to.
3. The encouragement of others may lead to the impression that they are not giving.
1. They have the ability to see the whole picture and the long range goals.
2. Motivated to organise their own area of responsibility and are not pushy.
3. Desire to complete the task quickly, they are not procrastinators.
4. Aware of resources needed to complete the task, gathering them before they begin.
5. Ability to know who can do the job, enabling them to delegate.
6. They readily assume responsibility when there is no appointed leadership.
7. They will endure the reaction of others in order to meet the goal.
8. They have a tremendous sense of accomplishment when the task is complete.
9. Desire to move quickly to the next challenge.
1. Their ability to delegate may appear as laziness.
2. Ability to endure reactions of others may appear as callousness.
3. Sometimes neglect to explain the reasons for a task, and fail to motivate others.
4. Tend to view people as resources rather than individuals. Moved by goals rather than people.
1. They have the ability to feel the atmosphere of joy or distress
2. Attracted to people in distress, bringing in the 'down and outers'.
3. Want to remove the hurts of others, sometimes at their own expense.
4. Concerned for mental stress rather than physical need.
5. Sensitive to words and actions.
6. Discern the motives of others.
7. Enjoy unity with others who are sensitive to needs.
8. They love people and want to remove their emotional wounds.
1. Their avoidance of firmness may appear as weakness.
2. May be lead by their emotions rather than by the spirit.
3. They attract the opposite sex.
I pray that as you study this teaching, the Holy Spirit will enable you to recognise your gift, encourage you to enter into your own gift; and be able to recognise and affirm other people's giftings, allowing them to be different from yourself, and coming together with others in your Christian community, to be a complete and anointed Body of Christ.
Last Modified: 1st December 2003