SPIRITUAL GIFTS – Part Eight

The Support Gifts

By Michael K. Farrar

God’s Breath Publications

 

Since each of the spiritual gifts that we possess are given so we can minister to others in the body of Christ, this group of “Support Gifts” is especially directed at ministering to the needs of members of the church of Christ. These “support” gifts are expressed towards others usually on a one to one basis and are very people oriented.

 

HELPS (Greek = “antilepsis”) (To provide relief or to help)

 

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church… gifts of… helps,”

 

The gift of helps is focused on helping others in many different ways. It seeks to bring relief from hardship and trials, sometimes in providing practical assistance, and at other times in the form of comfort and support. One meaning of the word “helps” is “to take the place of someone.” The person with the gift of helps can understand what a person is going through because they are able to sympathize with those dealing with the storms of life and can relate to the trauma they are experiencing.The person with this gift loves and desires to help those who are in need. The noun “help” is used only once in the New Testament and the verb three times. In the Greek translation of the Old Testament it is used many times. In the Old Testament it is often translated “to bear the burden with someone.” In the Old Testament Moses chose leaders to help him with the burden of leading and serving people. He chose individuals who were not only qualified to help others, but who wished to serve in this capacity.

 

The person with the gift of helps does not want to take over the responsibility or task of someone else. They just want to lighten the load of the person in need. They don’t want to undermine the authority of someone in a position of a responsibility. Instead, they want to lighten their burden so that they can fully accomplish their ministry or have victory over a difficult situation. The person with the gift of helps does not desire to be the center of attention or recognition. They simply want to assist others in any way possible to bring relief during a task or hardship.

 

The Greek word for “helps” is used as a synonym for “serving.” This word is also derived from the verb in Acts 20:35.

 

Acts 20:35

“In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

 

In Romans 16:1-2 Phoebe is referred to as a person who was a “servant of the church” and therefore very likely had the gift of helps.

 

Romans 16:1-2

“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; 2 that you receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and that you help her in whatever matter she may have need of you; for she herself has also been a helper of many, and of myself as well.”

 

The household of Onesiphorus who ministered to Paul’s needs demonstrated this spiritual give of service in 2 Timothy 1:16.

 

2 Timothy 1:16-18

“The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me — the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day — and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

 

We also know that Jesus set the standard for such a ministry of helps and serving others.

 

Mark 10:43-45

“…whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

 

“A person with this gift will loathe the limelight but be the backbone of an effective church. The host of unseen tasks that cause the ministry of the Word to be performed smoothly is effectively done by these persons. They prepare Sunday school materials for the teachers, care for the maintenance of the building and property, work in the tape ministry, do secretarial work, arrange transportation, set up chairs, assume responsibility for a radio program, provide nursery facilities, etc. How invaluable are the men and women who do this kind of work joyfully and faithfully. It is a magnificent gift.”

William McRae

 

GIVING (Greek = “metadidomi”) (To give over generously, share liberally and bountifully with singleness of mind and heart, with no self-seeking motivation)

 

Romans 12:4-8

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly…he who gives, with liberality;”

 

The spiritual gift of giving means to “give over” or to “share with.” This gift can be expressed to meet the physical or monetary needs of a situation, but is more often stimulated when the need is related to a personal need of someone specifically or a group of individuals. This illustrates that those having this gift desire to minister to people through the giving of their own resources. While we all tithe and donate our treasures such as money and possessions at times, the person with this spiritual gift is quickly responsive and highly motivated to exercise their spiritual gift of giving. The person with this spiritual gift may be rich in money, material possessions, available time or other resources. Whatever their resource they are very generous and willing to meet the needs of others. The qualifying word here for how someone with this spiritual gift expresses it is “with liberality.” But we must also realize that many people who possess this spiritual gift have limited or meager resources. But this does not diminish their ability to express their gift. It has been proven over and over again down through history that God will use meager resources to achieve great things for His divine purposes.

 

The person who has this gift of giving is greatly motivated even in small ways. It may be in baking pies and cooking food for people in need. It may be even in giving small amounts of money because that is all they have. These servants who are willing to help know that God will magnify their offerings of their time, treasures or skills, much like the example of the talents given to the servants in Matthew 25. God appreciates any act of giving that is shared with proper motives such as the widow giving her two copper coins into the treasury which was all she had (Luke 21). Our Heavenly Father is always pleased when we express our spiritual gift that He has bestowed to us by the agency of the Holy Spirit. As I mentioned above the motive behind such giving is spoken of in Romans 12:4-8 as with “liberality.” This is the Greek word “haplotes” which refers to a singleness of mind and purpose, with complete generous sincerity and without any self-seeking purpose. The expression of the person with this spiritual gift is often with great joy and cheerfulness as the following verse depicts.

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

“Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

 

We should all be cheerful generous givers but those with the gift of giving have a special capacity to give in magnificent ways that bring relief to those who are struggling and also promote expansion of God’s Kingdom. Giving involves sharing our time, talents and treasures with those less fortunate or to help build the Kingdom in both spiritual and physical ways.

 

Dorcas was such a follower of Christ who gave of her time and resources to help those in need.

 

Acts 9:36-37

“Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.”

 

“All those in Christ’s Body are encouraged and expected to give consistently (1 Corinthians 16:2), liberally (2 Corinthians 9:6), sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:3), and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). The person with the gift of giving, however, has a special God-given capacity to give, an inner drive, and a longing to provide for the needs of the saints.”

Charles Swindoll

 

HOSPITALITY (Greek = “philoxenos”) (To be fond of guests and to be hospitable to strangers without murmuring or holding a grudge (Greek = “goggusmos”)

 

1 Peter 4:9-10

“Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

 

The spiritual gift of hospitality is not always listed with the other spiritual gift, but it appears to be associated with Peter’s discussion of spiritual gifts in his letter and so many theologians indentify it as a true spiritual gift. We know that many people are friendly and hospitable towards others, but there appears to be many who go above and beyond to minister in this way to others in the local church. They have a special talent and intensity about them to serve others in this manner. They do not do it to impress or draw attention to themselves. They simply have a generous, cordial, open hearted desire to minister to others. The qualifier in this verse describes them in detail. They express hospitality without complaint or grumbling. We can all be hospitable to some extent at times, but often we complain about the work we have to go to in the process or the amount of money we have to spend. Those with the gift of hospitality have no second thoughts. This does not mean they are irresponsible with their money, it simply means they see more value in using their time and resources in being hospitable than any other way. The Greek word for hospitality is a combination of words that mean “the love of strangers.” The followers of Christ who have this spiritual gift are able to meet strangers and make them feel comfortable and relaxed in a hospitable fashion. Paul described some of this ability when he wrote;

 

Romans 12:9-13

“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

 

The word Paul uses for “practicing” in this passage is a strong word meaning “to pursue.” Those with the “gift of hospitality” should take their gift very seriously. They should seek out people to whom they can minister to through their giftedness. In our world where there is suspicion of others and a tendency to seek a reclusive lifestyle those with the gift of hospitality can overcome these obstacles and not only minister to other followers of Christ, but draw others into the faith through their love and friendliness.

 

Peter was the recipient of this spiritual gift of hospitality. Simon the tanner expressed this spiritual gift towards him in the seaport of Joppa as did the Roman centurion who was also a believer in Christ (Acts 10:1-20). Once again Peter received hospitality through the actions of Mary, the mother of John Mark, after he was miraculously delivered from Herod’s prison (Acts 12:12). Gentile followers of Christ also expressed this gift towards Peter when he went to Antioch in Syria (Galatians 2:11-13), but when Peter withdrew from their hospitality for fear of criticism by the Jews Paul admonished him.

 

While some followers of Christ are especially gifted with this spiritual gift of hospitality, we see in Matthew chapter how we are all to express this some degree of this gift of hospitality.

 

Matthew 25:34-40

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? ‘And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’

 

So Jesus set the standard by which we all demonstrate hospitality towards others, but those who are gifted with the spiritual gift of hospitality are especially called to seek to express their gift towards the needs of others. The Holy Spirit will empower such followers of Christ to minister in this fashion to anyone and everyone God directs their way.

 

“The word for “hospitality” is “philoxenos.” It means literally to be friendly to strangers. It embraced particularly the needs of Christians who, in their travels, needed a bed for the night or a meal. In Peter’s day, there was no public welfare. Overflowing love would find many opportunities to minister to the needy. For instance, along the arterial highways and in the big cities were inns that traveling believers could use. But in such places there was danger and temptation. Nero’s spies were everywhere. On the other hand, it was dangerous to open one’s house to strangers. But that was a risk to be encountered and discounted when opportunity arose to extend a loving, helping hand to a professing believer who was traveling and in need.”

John Phillips

 

In our next segment of this series we will begin to study the sign gifts of miracles, healings.