Spiritual gifts are given so that every Christian can experience the joy and fulfillment of God working through him and her. (1)

There are various ways to divide or catalog the gifts. The following way has brought great joy and understanding to many Christians:

("Diversities of administrations": DIAKONIA) (2)

Ministry gifts provide opportunities for recognized Christian service through the church. These gifts are confirmed by church leaders. They include pastors, teachers, church workers, assistants, and administrators. (3)

The church leaders ordained Timothy by the laying on of hands and sent him out to assist Paul. His service to Paul was a ministry gift.

Twice, Paul reminded Timothy about the ministry gifts which he had been given:

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given to thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." (4)

"Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." (5)

Motivation gifts are the unique "energizings" of the Holy Spirit within a believer which give that believer the desire and the power to concentrate on a particular aspect of spiritual concern. They are given by the Holy Spirit in order to carry out the ministry.

Every Christian has one of the seven motivation gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. Every Christian then views other Christians and circumstances through his or her motivation gift. Christians with the gift of ruling look at things through the eyes of a teacher. The same is true for those with the gift of prophecy, serving, exhortation, giving, and mercy.

1) I Corinthians 12:7

2) I Corinthians 12:5

3) I Corinthians 12:28

4) I Timothy 4:14

5) II Timothy 1:6

6) I Corinthians 12:6

("But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal": PHANEROSIS) (1)

Manifestation gifts are supernatural results of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and also the lives of those to whom we minister.

As we develop and use our motivation gifts through our given ministry, god causes supernatural results to occur. The Holy Spirit may give one person to whom we minister the gift of wisdom; another may receive the gift of discerning of spirits , and still another may be given the manifestation gift of faith. (2)

Every Christian has one motivation gift. However, every Christian can also have one or more ministry gifts, and any number of manifestation gifts.

The ministry gifts are confirmed through the church and the manifestation gifts are determined by God through the Holy Spirit.

There are several important steps in discovering our motivational spiritual gift:

Our spiritual gift is given to us when we become a Christian. When we are born physically, we are endowed with physical abilities. Similarly, when we are born again, we are endowed with spiritual abilities.

Root sins of pride, bitterness, temporal values, and moral impurity grieve the Holy Spirit and quench His power in our lives. Since it is the Holy Spirit who makes known His gift to us and then works though that gift, it is quite obvious that sin will hinder us from discovering our spiritual gift.

The purpose of our spiritual gifts is to give God’s love to others. If we are not involved in the lives of others, there will be no basis or purpose for discovering what our spiritual gift is. The more we concentrate on the needs of those around us, the more the Holy

1) I Corinthians 12:7

2) I Corinthians 12:8-10

Spirit will be free to work through our spiritual gift to meet those needs.

Each spiritual gift prompts its possessor to view others from a different perspective. A prophet, for example, will be aware of needs in the lives of others that a sever may not even notice. Meanwhile, a server will notice needs that a prophet may overlook entirely. By asking yourself why you really want to help others, you can narrow your choices in identifying your spiritual gifts.

Every Christian will view people and circumstances from the viewpoint of his or her own spiritual gift. Each one will see needs which will not be seen by those with different gifts. The tendency is to assume that everyone else sees the things that you see. This will result in being irritated with others for not being sensitive to needs or concerned about them.

Each spiritual gifts exhibits specific characteristics. Those who have the same gift will tend to emphasize and illustrate certain characteristics more than those who have other spiritual gifts. The precise characteristics of each gift are explained in this manual. The list that most describes you is a good indicator of your spiritual gift.

Not everyone can identify his or her spiritual gift right away. Sometimes it takes more time to discern which one it really is. Often, the choice will be narrowed down to two possibilities. At this point, it is wise to select one and begin to concentrate on it. In due time, you will know whether it is your gift by the joy gift by the joy and fruitfulness you will receive from exercising it.

The discovery and exercise of spiritual gifts is accomplished by the grace of God, not by our own desire and power. (1) The more grace that a Christian receives, the more confident and effective that Christian will be with his or her gift.

God promises to give grace only to the humble: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (2)

1) Romans 12:6

When a mature Christian exercises his or her spiritual gift, there will be spiritual fruitfulness. However, when an immature or carnal Christian exercises his or her spiritual gift, there will often be reaction or misunderstanding. These misuses usually provide the clearest Confirmation of what a person’s gift really is. The misuses of gifts are listed on following pages.

Usually not. Others can see your outward actions and responses. However, they cannot be sure of your inward motivation. If you are a good teacher, others may assume that your spiritual gift is teaching, when in reality it could be exhortation or mercy or any other gift. Only you can accurately confirm what your spiritual gift is.

Begin by practicing all the other gifts. You will never achieve God’s purposes through your spiritual gift until you learn how to properly exercise the other six spiritual gifts. God designed the gifts so that we would realize that we need each other just as much as we need each member of our physical body.

If one with the gift of prophecy does not learn from the one with the gift of mercy, he or she may speak the truth, but probably not in love as we are commanded to do. (1) Or if one with the gift of exhortation does not learn from the one with the gift of teaching , he or she may give steps of action for spiritual growth, they may not be scripturally

1) Ephesians 4:15

accurate. Only as we understand this will we avoid the danger of

thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. (1)

In Scripture God commands all Christians to

" Follow after love, and desire … that ye may prophesy …. He that prophesieth edifieth the church." (2)

"…By love serve one another." (3)

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another…." (4)

"But exhort one another daily … lest any of you be hardened through he deceitfulness of sin." (5)

" Give, and it shall be given unto you…." (6)

Rule your own spirit. (7)

Rule your own family. (8)

"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule…" (9)

"Put on therefore… bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering." (10)

Begin asking those with other gifts to tell you what things are important to them. Ask them to describe what they see in a particular situation. Encourage them to point out "blind spots" in your life and service for Christ.

1) Romans 12:3-6

2) I Corinthians 14:1,4

3) Galatians 5:13

4) Colossians 3:16

5) Hebrews 3:13

6) Luke 6:38

7) Proverbs 25:28

8) I Timothy 3:4-5

9) Proverbs 12:24

10) Colossians 3:12

Find Christians who are successfully using their gift, and study how they go about doing various things:

How does a prophet identify and expose sin?

How does a server see and meet practical needs?

How does a teacher validate truth?

How does an exhorter visualize steps of action?

How does a giver make wise investments?

How does an organizer get jobs done?

How does one gifted with mercy know what hurts others?

Prophets often fell that they are responsible for everyone. It is extra hard for them to hold back when they are things that are wrong.

Prophets tend to draw conclusions on a few known facts. Based on these and a built-in sense of right and wrong, they may draw hasty conclusions.

Once a hasty conclusion has been made, prophets tend to look for confirming evidence. This can result in taking words and actions of the accused out of context in order to prove a point.

To judge a Christian brother is to pass sentence on him based on the evidence at hand and not to be concerned about helping him overcome his problem. Prophets tend to point out the problems but not see the solutions to them.

Once a person has failed, prophets tend to cut off fellowship with that person and persuade other to do the same. Friends will even be cut off in favor of being true to a cause.

Prophets are more sensitive to evil and deception than others are. This often results in their being "against" more things than they are "for," or at least it may appear that way to others. If something is partly right and partly wrong, prophets tend to see it all wrong. They view things in extremes of either all right or all wrong.

Driven by the desire to be totally open and honest, prophets often share opinions which would have been better left unsaid.

Prophets tend to expect immediate repentance regardless of whether their rebuke was in love or fully accurate. They tend to magnify failures in order to promote repentance.

The harsh judgments which prophets have for others, they tend to be extremely self-critical and feel worthless when they fail.

If prophets sell a used car or appliance to someone, they will tend to tell all the weaknesses and faults of the item. They expect others to do the same with them and will probably accuse them of dishonesty or deception if the don’t.

Servers tend to disregard their own comforts in order to help others. Other reasons may also cause this: an inability to say "no" to others, and the need for sincere gratefulness from those whom they help (which they may not get at home). This attitude may extend to their own families.

It is difficult for servers to say "no" to needs. This causes them to get involved in too many projects at the same time.

In order to assist others, servers will often disregard their own physical limitations. This, in itself, will cause physical exhaustion. However, servers tend to add a further dimension to the problem when they take on more responsibility than they can handle: inner tension which may result in ailments, especially with their stomachs.

Servers are able to detect needs before others are even aware of them. They get their joy and fulfillment from meeting these needs. Because of this, they may persist in trying to meet a particular need which they see.

The proper channels of people and committees may look like unnecessary "red tape" to servers who want to get jobs done as soon as possible. They will even use personal funds in order to avoid delays in meeting needs.
(Usually they can’t afford the money they spend.)

Unlike administrators, servers find it extremely difficult to delegate jobs to others. They tend to want to do the jobs themselves.

If servers see a need in the of another person, their first impulse is to meet it; however, it may be that the need is designed by God to bring that person to repentance. The needs of the prodigal son in the pig sty would illustrate this point. Meeting his physical needs might have hindered his repentance and return to his father. (1)

Servers do not usually desire public recognition. However, they deeply desire sincere appreciation from the ones whom they serve. This may cause them to work for the approval of people more than the approval of God.

It is very easy for servers to stop what they are doing and give a "helping hand" to another need which they see. This may cause the ones under whom they serve to become frustrated with them because the assigned tasks are not completed as fast as they should be. (the server should refer all others to his boss and get directions only from him.)

It would be easy for teachers to develop an attitude of pride as a result of all their learning. "Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth." (1)

A teacher may tend to discount any learning which does not take place in the classroom. "And the Jews marveled, saying ‘How Knoweth this man letters, having never learned?’" (2)

The attitude of a teacher can easily be, "It isn’t right until I check it out and say it is right." A teacher may communicate the impression that he or she is the only source of truth.

It is difficult for a teacher to endorse the teaching of others if he is able to spot little factual errors. Teachers may, in this case, give a general criticism of the entire teaching.

1) I Corinthians 8:1

2) John 7:15

3) Proverbs 3:5

The primary tool of teachers is their mind, yet God warns that we are not to lean on our own understanding (3) because our thoughts are not his thoughts, (4) and there is a way which seems right to a man’s mind, but it leads to death. (5) Actually, the reasonings of man are foolishness with God. (6) Morality is essential for spiritual understanding. (7) true understanding is essentially a spiritual matter – not a mental matter. God’s truth is "spiritually discerned." (8)

The purpose of all teaching must be to exalt Christ and to promote conformity to His image. (9) Teachers tend to avoid wider applications beyond the actual wording of the text. This limits the use of Scripture as a daily lamp to our feet and light to our path.

4) Isaiah 55:8

5) Proverbs 14:12

6) I Corinthians 1:20

7) II Thessalonians 2:10-11

8) I Corinthians 2:4

9) Romans 8:29

The great delight of teachers is their research. What they enjoy, they assume others will enjoy. Teachers may give extensive background details to validate a point or to display their research ability and knowledge. In most cases, however, it is not as important to the listeners as it is to them. Sometimes it wearies the listeners to the point where they miss the purpose of the teaching

Teachers not only enjoy research, but they se it as the basis of their effectiveness as a teacher. They assume that the more knowledgeable they are in their field, the more prepared they are to evaluate new ideas and refute error. Research is very consuming of time and concentration. This may cause them to shut themselves up in their own world and close out those who are around them.

Exhorters can visualize long-range projects and goals for people. These are often explained without reference to the amount of time that will be required to work them out. The people involved are led to assume that these projects and goals will be reached much sooner than they can be.

The delight of exhorters is helping people with problems. Exhorters are willing to give whatever time is required to achieve results. All too often, this time cuts into family responsibilities. Exhorters assume their families will understand – until they learn differently.

Because exhorters put confidence in steps of action which have proven effective, they are usually ready to share these steps to others, including family and friends. Rather than making them fell like special people, the exhorter may give the impression that friends and family are just more "counseling projects."

The importance and effectiveness of personal illustrations is well known to exhorters. Illustrations explain how to apply steps of action and also motivate the listener to take them . Exhorters tend to use recent illustrations which are either premature or without permission.

Projects are often used by exhorters to reach ultimate goals. Exhorters tend to motivate others to get involved in a project and then abandon it for a "better " project. This often disillusions those who were involved in the first project.

People who receive help by following counsel that is given by exhorters tend to rely on those who gave it. Exhorters tend to encourage this because of their joy in being around those who are growing spiritually.

Exhorters tend to communicate acceptance and approval when those they are trying to help respond to the steps of action which are given. This can encourage outward conformity without an actual change of hearts within.

Any teaching which neglects practical application tends to be minimized by exhorters. Because doctrinal teaching has been (wrongly) separated from its moral applications, exhorters have neglected it in favor of "life related" teachings.

Exhorters tend to categorize the problem in their mind before hearing all the important facts. This results in the shame of answering a matter before fully hearing it . Exhorters also tend to have more confidence in their own counsel than in God’s warnings on whom not to give counsel to.

Givers are very aware of the potential of money to corrupt people. They understand the need for those in their own family to work for money and to appreciate its value. In attempting to achieve these balances, givers may be too frugal with their own family.

If givers are too frugal with their own families and then give large gifts to others, they can cause their families to resent those to whom gifts are given. To avoid this, it is essential for givers to have their marriage partners con firm the amount that a gift should be.

When givers exercise their ability to increase funds and give away money, they tend to attract people with wrong motives and unscriptural counsel. Unless givers are firmly grounded in God’s principles of finances, they can be deceived by these people or their methods.

One of the motivations of givers is to encourage others to give. Various methods may be used to accomplish this such as "matching gifts" or fund raising programs. In the counsel of doing this, givers may put excessive pressure on others to give.

It is God who gives Christians power to get wealth. It is also God Who will prompt givers when to give, how to give, and how much to give. If givers are not responsive or obedient o these promptings, Satan is given admittance into their financial dealings.

Givers are very alert to how funds are misused. In the course of discerning where their own funds should go, givers can overlook the valuable ministry they could have in advising Christians in the use of their money.

In an attempt to make sure their gifts are wisely invested, givers may sponsor projects or buy items which are not in God’s plan for a ministry.

Givers will always run the risk of corrupting people with funds. Those who receive them can too easily begin looking to givers rather to God, and doing things with easily gotten money which is contrary to God’s will.

Givers tend to be more attracted to project than they are to the daily needs of Christians. Sometimes these projects build an organization but not the people in the organization or those reached through the organization

Administrators need to know that people and materials are available to them in order to accomplish a task. It is easy for them to overlook the individual needs of the workers and simply view them as "resources" for the job.

When administrators have people, money and materials at their disposal to accomplish group "goals," it is all too easy to divert these resources to accomplish personal goals or ambitions.

The single most important quality to administrators is loyalty. They need to know whom they can count on to get jobs done. They want to know where they stand with each person who works for them. At the same time administrators must be fair and impartial. Rewarding loyalty without favoritism is a special challenge for administrators.

Ordinarily, administrators will stay on the "side lines" until they are asked to be in charge of a project. There is a reason for this: they need to have full support of those who appoint them. It is difficult, however, for administrators to stand by and watch mismanagement and inefficiency, and they can take charge prematurely.

The chief talent of administrators is knowing how to delegate jobs to others. This leaves administrators free to focus on the overall projects and to see how all the parts are fitting together. However, if administrators delegate too much work to others and are not sensitive to their personal needs and schedules, then the workers will become resentful and fell like they are doing all the work

The primary objective of administrators is to coordinate everyone’s effort in order to see a project completed. In the process, they may be willing to overlook major character faults in the lives of those who are useful in reaching their goal.

Administrators have the ability to withstand much reaction in order to get a job done. However , they can carry this too far and become closed to valid suggestions and complaints of those who are working with them

Workers want to feel like they are a part of the overall project by learning how their jobs fit into the final goal and by receiving proper praise and encouragement as the work is being done.

Those with the gift of mercy find it hard to be firm and decisive because they do not want to hurt or offend other people. Very often, the lack of firmness or decisiveness only causes greater hurt and disappointment.

When those with the gift of mercy see or hear about someone hurting another person, they can feel the hurt as well. They will tend to take up offenses, especially if it is a friend who is being hurt.

Because those with the gift of mercy have such strong emotions and feelings, they tend to base the decisions which they do make on them rather than on objective logic.

A person of the opposite sex tends to be drawn to those with the gift of mercy because of their ability to be sensitive, understanding and responsive listeners. This must be considered in any counseling which is done, and safeguards must be established in order to avoid improper emotional attachments

Words and actions which reflect insensitivity to the feelings of other people are quickly recognized and reacted to by those with the gift of mercy who will tend to close their spirits to these people.

Unlike exhorters who look at suffering as a means of growing spiritually, those with the gift of mercy tend to react to the idea that God would allow a person to suffer for any good purpose. Their main concern is usually to remove the cause of suffering as soon as possible.

If those with the gift of mercy are not discerning as to why people suffer, they may give sympathy and encouragement to those who are suffering as a direct result of violating God’s moral laws.

There is a deep need for commitment and closeness in the friendships of those with the gift of mercy. This can easily result in possessiveness of friendships with others, and the tendency to be deeply hurt when there is not a mutual commitment to the friendship. Disappointments in one friendship tend to create greater expectations and possessiveness in a new friendship.