Serving: Ministering to the Needs of People

Have you known anyone who has been gifted with serving the needs of people which is one of the 7 gifts of grace?  

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; ⁷ if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. –Romans 12:6-8

What is the Gift of Serving?

People with this gift often love to help others with practical tasks; such as, providing meals to the elderly or sick, completing household tasks for the unable, volunteering at a local charity, or hosting dinner for new neighbors.  Undoubtedly, the list of possible tasks is endless.  Service-minded people constantly pay attention to others and recognize when there might be a need.  Happy to offer their help, they quickly complete the task at hand.   

Biblical Examples of the Gift of Serving

1 Samual 16:21-23 explains that David served Saul by becoming his armor-bearer; as well as, playing soothing music.   As in this example, you will often find people with this gift serving others in behind-the-scenes roles, allowing someone else to stand in the spotlight.  “Full of good works and acts of charity” describes Tabitha in Acts 9:36 and is another example of someone with the gift of serving the needs of people.  Not surprisingly, Jesus also exhibited this same gift.  Some examples are when He healed people with physical ailments, washed His disciples’ feet at the last supper, and ultimately when He died on the cross for all of mankind.

Do You Have the Gift of Serving the Needs of People?

Ministering to others’ needs comes naturally to people with this gift, and it usually provides great joy and a sense of accomplishment to complete tasks for others.   Whether the task is something large and in the spotlight or it is serving a cup of water to a child, it is still significant to God.  Unquestionably, people exhibiting this gift are the hands and feet of Jesus.

For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.  -Mark 9:41

If you are gifted in this way, others may consider you a busy bee because you find yourself answering the call of service with a yes more often than no.  Be certain to diligently guard your downtime and rest to ensure you don’t become overburdened and exhausted. 

Even Children Possess Gifts From God.

Amazingly, God uniquely designs every person, including depositing a gift of grace before physical birth.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.  Jeremiah 1:5

Would you like a guide to help you teach your child about the 7 different gifts of grace and guide him to discover which gift he possesses?  Fortunately, we have a tool that will help you with this important task and many others; such as, teaching him how to pray.  Within the Discovering Who I Am From God’s Perspective devotional, you and your child will find practical examples of kids that display the 7 different gifts of grace and loads of guided prayers to help him develop his relationship with God.