Day 6 The First Three Motivational Gifts
We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, then let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 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. Romans 12:6-8
‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given us’ (12:6). Just as God’s grace made Paul an apostle (12:3), that same grace bestows different gifts on other members of Christ’s body. Paul now lists seven gifts divided into two categories, speaking gifts (prophesying, teaching and encouraging) and service gifts (serving, contributing, leading and showing mercy). Peter makes a similar speaking/serving distinction in gifs in 1 Peter 4:11.
Paul incorporates a number of lists of God’s gifts in his writings. Probably none of the lists is meant to be exhaustive. There are differences between the lists and this simple outline might help us understand some of the differences:
· 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 the gifts (manifestations) of the Holy Spirit
· Ephesians 4:11,12 the gifts of Christ. These are gifted people (apostles, prophets …)
· Romans 12:6-8 often called ‘motivational gifts’ because they reflect seven foundational motivations or approaches to ministry
· 1 Corinthians 12:28 God’s gifts to the church. The list is almost entirely drawn from the other list
The rest of this study explores the first three of the gifts in the Romans 12 passage – prophesying, serving and teaching – as motivational gifts.
The first gift is ‘prophesying.’ The heart of this motivational gift is the ability to “see.” It is marked by a strong intuitive sense about where people and things are “really at.” Intuition is part of everyone’s life but when this is the principle motivational gift, this intuitive ability is developed to a far greater degree. Through this gifting a person is more easily able to discern someone’s inner motives. They usually see situations more black and white than others. There may be overlap with the gift of prophecy from 1 Corinthians 12:10, but whereas this gift of the Spirit of prophecy is exercised as the Holy Spirit speaks to the hearer, this motivational gifting is always there.
‘If a man’s gift is prophesying, then let him use it in proportion to his faith’ (12:6). As in 12:3 it is unclear what ‘faith’ means here, whether Paul was thinking of a specific portion of faith given to that person, or he may even be using the term in the sense of ‘the faith.’ He would then be saying the gift must not be exercised in a way that contradicts the Christian faith.
The next gift is serving: ‘if it is serving, let him serve’ (12:7). The word translated ‘serving’ is a generic word, but if understood as a motivational gift, it describes the constant motivation to demonstrate love by giving assistance to meet others’ practical needs. People with this gift ‘see’ what needs to be done and are equipped to help.
The third is teaching: ‘if it is teaching, let him teach’ (12:7). Teaching is the ability to impart knowledge and so to lead others into revealed truth. Understood motivationally, this person is constantly motivated to search out and validate truth. They place great emphasis on facts and the accuracy of words and often get more joy from discovering truth personally than presenting it to others. Their burden is give out the truth and leave the responsibility for whether that truth is effectively received entirely with the hearer.
The next devotional will look at the next four gifts – encouraging, giving, leading and showing mercy.