Motivatioal Gifts: Serving & Teaching

Motivatioal Gifts: Serving & Teaching
In previous issues we looked at the motivational gifts, and specifically at Prophetic Gifting. Now let us look at the second and third motivational gifts: Serving and Teaching.

Motivational Gift 2: Serving
The gift of a ‘serving’ motivated person is best displayed through deeds rather than words. For this reason they are gifted with their hands and equipped with physical stamina, often disregarding their own weariness. They have special insight into what needs to be done. A ‘serving’ motivated person will just keep going until the job is done. When they recognise a need, they are there to meet it and they want to see the job done immediately.

A Biblical example of a ‘server’ is Martha (Luke 10:38–42; John 12:2; John 11:1–40). When Jesus went to visit, Mary sat down at Jesus’ feet and Martha went to make food. Martha came back complaining, saying; ‘Nobody is helping me. Why is Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet?’ Martha recognised that everyone would be hungry after listening to Jesus. She identified a practical need and went off to make the food.

If you are servant motivated and actively involved, don’t hide away from spiritual things. Embrace the spiritual needs as well as the practical service you offer. It is important to remember that Jesus came to serve. We should always be looking out for opportunities to meet the needs of others. There is never a ‘need’ too menial.

Jesus said that when you are faithful in the little, He will make you ruler over much (Matt 25:21).

Characteristics of a server
a.    A server quickly learns specific likes and dislikes of people, and can recall them. They will remember what you do and do not like and will attend to these needs
b.    They detect practical needs and enjoy manual projects
c.    They meet the need quickly
d.    They have physical stamina and will work until the job is finished
e.    Will use personal funds to avoid delays
f.    They work with their whole heart, therefore they need sincere appreciation from people. They have the ability to detect insincerity
g.    They want to see a job done, so they often apply extra work
h.    They will be involved in a lot of activity because they are unable to say no. This is not good; although it is difficult, servers need to learn to say no
i.    Servers have short term goals as they are not organisers. They experience frustration over long term goals
j.    They become frustrated when limitations of time are attached to a job. The reason for this is they like to see a job done to perfection! They need to be given the space to do the job to the best of their ability
k.    They enjoy showing hospitality.

Misunderstandings of a server
a.   They may appear to be pushy (they want everyone else to be doing as much as they are)
b.   They avoid red tape, which can result in them excluding others from jobs. In this way they often deny others the blessing of being able to serve
c.   Their disregard for personal needs can extend to the needs of their own family
d.   They are inclined to become upset with others when they do not have the same motive
e.   It is difficult for them to accept service from others
f.    If they don’t receive sincere appreciation they are often hurt
g.   Their desire to help can interfere with God’s dealings in the lives of others. They can move in before God has had time to work in the situation
h.   They are inclined to become sidetracked with the needs of others, and miss God’s personal leadership toward them
i.  Their concentration on the practical gives them the appearance of being unspiritual. However, this is not true.

How their counsel will help you
Their counsel will help you to see the areas of service you may overlook and attitudes of ungratefulness. Note: Servers usually need sincere appreciation. Since they are workers and not feelers, they need to be told that they are loved and of worth. The server’s emphasis on things and projects may appear as spiritual superficiality and a lack of interest in personal relationships, but this is not necessarily the case.

Motivational Gift 3: Teaching
Teachers tend to believe that their gift is foundational to other gifts. Teachers love to read and study and place great emphasis on the accuracy of facts and words. They may get more joy in doing research than in teaching the material. A Biblical example is Apollos (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Cor 3:6).

Characteristics of a teacher
a.  They place emphasis on the accuracy of words and facts – they enjoy word studies
b.    They test the knowledge of those who teach them
c.    They enjoy research and use it to validate the truth
d.    They validate new information through established sources of truth
e.    Teachers present truth in a systematic way
f.     They avoid using non-biblical illustrations
g.    They resist Scripture out of context
h.    They are more objective than subjective
i.     They are intellectually sharp and easily develop the use
of a large vocabulary.

Misunderstandings of a teacher
a.    Their emphasis on Scriptural illustrations and interpretation can lead to neglect of its practical application. They need to try to make their teachings more practical in a day to day context
b.    Their research can make them appear more dependent on books than on the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit
c.    Their use of knowledge in testing others may appear to reflect pride. This is not necessarily so, as they just want to share the knowledge with others
d.    The details of their research may appear to be unnecessary to the listeners
e.    They may appear to lack warmth and feeling.

How their counsel will help you
Their counsel will help you to see the Biblical inaccuracies of statements or conclusions that you have made.

See next month’s issue for the follow-up article in the Motivational Gifts series.