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ROMANS 12
LESSON #18
THE GIFT OF SERVING AND THE GIFT OF CONTRIBUTING
E.THE GIFT OF SERVING (DIADONIA)
1.DEFINITION:
THE MOTIVATION TO PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE. IT IS DEMONSTRATING LOVE BY MEETING PRACTICALNEEDS AND RENDERING ASSISTANCE.
2.CHARACTERISTICS:
a) DEEDS–HE RECOGNIZES THE PRACTICAL NEEDS OF OTHERS AND ENJOYS MEETING THOSE NEEDS.HE SHOWS HIS LOVE BY THE DEEDS HE DOES. HE HAS A HARD TIME SAYING “NO” TOREQUESTS FOR HELP. HE IS VERY ORIGINAL IN CREATING JOBS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS. HETENDS TO DO MORE THAN WHAT IS EXPECTED OF HIM. HE IS OFTEN OVER-INVOLVED.
b) PHYSICAL STRENGTH AND STAMINA–GOD HAS GIVEN HIM STRENGTH AND STAMINA TO DO PHYSICALJOBS. HE DISREGARDS HIS OWN FATIGUE. HE HAS A GREAT ABILITY TO WORK WITH HIS HANDS.
c) PERFECTIONIST AND DETAIL–HE CANNOT STAND CLUTTER, DIRT, OR DISORGANIZATION. HE WILLDO ALL HE CAN TO KEEP PHYSICAL ORDER. HE TENDS TO BE A PERFECTIONIST. HE ALWAYS FINISHESPROJECTS HE STARTS. HE BECOMES FRUSTRATED IF HE DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO COMPLETE APROJECT. HE LIKES TO DO A GOOD JOB AND PAYS ATTENTION TO DETAILS. HE HAS A COMPUTER TYPEMEMORY FOR DETAIL. HE PREFERS SHORT TERM PROJECTS AND SHORT TERM GOALS.
d) HOSPITALITY–HE LIKES TO ENTERTAIN OTHERS IN HIS HOME BECAUSE IT GIVES HIM THEOPPORTUNITY TO SERVE.
e) NEEDS APPRECIATION–HE HAS A NEED TO FEEL APPRECIATED FOR WHO HE IS AND NOT JUST FORWHAT HE DOES.
f) PREFERS TO BE A FOLLOWER–HE DOES NOT LIKE LEADERSHIP ROLES OR LEADING PROJECTS. HEPREFERS OTHERS TO LEAD. HE IS FRUSTRATED IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND WILL LOSE HIS JOY. HEPREFERS TO DO A JOB HIMSELF RATHER THAN DELEGATE IT. IF HE HAS TO DELEGATE A JOB,HE FEELS GUILTY. HE LIKES TO SEE SUCCESS IN THE LEADERS THAT HE SUPPORTS. HE IS A VERYLOYAL FOLLOWER.
3.BENEFITS OF THIS GIFT:
a.THIS PERSON SEEMS TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE
DONE
b.THIS PERSON IS THE HANDS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
c.THIS GIFT MEETS THE PRACTICAL NEEDS IN THE
BODY OF CHRIST
4.MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS GIFT:
a.THIS PERSON DOES A LOT OF THE LITTLE THINGS BEHIND THE SCENES
b.THESE PEOPLE ARE THE WORKERS IN THE CHURCH
5.CHILDHOOD EXPRESSIONS:
THIS CHILD CAN BECOME ABSORBED IN PLAY AND HAS NO TROUBLE PLAYING ALONE. HE HAS GOODHAND DEXTERITY. HE/SHE LOVES CARS, CRAFTS, TEA SETS, SEWING, CRAYONS, CONSTRUCTION. HE ISGOOD AT PRETEND PLAY, ESPECIALLY ROLE PLAYING. HE IS A GOOD “COPY CAT”. HE HAS ASINGLE BEST FRIEND OR A LIMITED CIRCLE OF FRIENDS. HE IS FAMILY ORIENTED. HE IS NOT ASTRONG FEELING CHILD. HE HAS TROUBLE WITH PUBLIC SPEAKING AND IS EMBARRASSED TO SHOWEMOTION. HE CAN BECOME BITTER AND ANGRY WITH LIFE WHEN NOT APPRECIATED. HE IS A SPASMODICREADER BUT HAS WIDE INTERESTS. HE LIKES PETS. HE PREFERS TO CHOOSE HIS OWN DIRECTION ANDTIME OF ACTIVITY. THE GREATEST JOY IS THINKING OF THE TASK ON HIS OWN AND DOING IT WITHOUTPROMPTING. HE MAY FAIL TO FINISH PROJECTS IF AT THE LAST MINUTE A FEW OBSTACLES MAKE ITSEEM IMPOSSIBLE.
6.PEOPLE WITH THIS GIFT IN THE BIBLE:
MARTHA JOHN 11:1-40 JOHN 12:2
LUKE 10:38-42
OBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS:
SHOWS HOSPITALITY (38)
SHOWS LOVE WITH DEEDS (38)
RECOGNIZES PRACTICAL NEEDS (40)
PERFECTIONIST (40)
SEES THAT SERVICE IS MOST IMPORTANT (40)
OVER-INVOLVED (41)
FEELS UNAPPRECIATED BY OTHERS (41)
TOO OCCUPIED WITH DETAILS (42)
OTHERS:
PHOEBE ROM 16:1-2
STEPHEN ACTS 6:1-15; 7:1-60
PHILLIP JOHN 1:43-45 JOH 6:5-7
JOH 12:21-22 JOH 14:8 ACTS 6:5
ACTS 8:5-40 ACTS 21:8-9
ONESIMUS (IN THE BOOK OF PHILEMON) COL 4:9
PETER’S MOTHER-IN-LAW MAT 8:14-15
JACOB GEN 25-30
7.PROBLEM AREAS AND CAUTIONS THAT LEAD TO IMPROVING THIS GIFT–A CHALLENGE:
a) CRITICAL–HE CAN BE CRITICAL OF OTHERS WHO DO NOT HELP OUT. HE NEEDS TO SEE HISSERVICE AS A SPECIAL CALL BY GOD TO HIM.
b) NEGLECT FAMILY–IT IS POSSIBLE HE WILL NEGLECT THE NEEDS OF HIS OWN FAMILY TO MEETTHE NEEDS OF OTHERS.
c) AGGRESSIVE–SOMETIMES HE WILL HELP WHEN HELP IS NOT WANTED. SOMETIMES HE HAS ATENDENCY TO TAKE OVER. HE NEEDS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE LINES OF AUTHORITY. HE CAN BECOMEIMPATIENT WITH SLOW-MOVING AUTHORITY.
d) RECEIVING–HE FEELS AWKWARD WHEN SOMEONE ELSE SERVES HIM, AND, THEREFORE, HE ROBSTHE OTHER PERSON OF THE JOB OF SERVING.
e) HURT FEELINGS–BECAUSE HE HAS A DEEP NEED TO BE APPRECIATED, HE OFTEN FEELS HURTWHEN OTHERS DON’T EXPRESS APPRECIATION. HE NEEDS TO FEEL APPRECIATED FOR WHO HE IS AND NOTJUST FOR WHAT HE DOES. HE NEEDS TO DEVELOP A STRONG IDENTITY IN CHRIST FROM WHERE HERECEIVES HIS VALUE. HE NEEDS TO KNOW THAT HE SERVES TO PLEASE GOD, NOT MEN.
f) OVER-EMPHASIS ON THINGS AND PROJECTS–OTHERS MAY SEE HIM AS EITHER LACKING INTERESTIN TRUE SPIRITUAL THINGS OR LACKING INTEREST IN PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. TO OVERCOME THISWEAKNESS, HE NEEDS TO MAINTAIN A STRONG DEVOTIONAL LIFE. HE NEEDS TO BECOME AWARE WHENPEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING A JOB DONE.
HOMEWORK:
1.IF YOU THINK THIS IS YOUR GIFT, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE HOW THE GIFT OPERATESFOR GOD’S GLORY.
2.IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT YOUR GIFT, CONSIDER OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY AND THOSEIN YOUR CHURCH WHO FIT THIS PROFILE. WRITE THEIR NAMES HERE AND WHY YOU THINK SO.
F.THE GIFT OF CONTRIBUTING (METADIDOMI)
1.DEFINITION:
THIS MIGHT BE CALLED THE GIFT OF SPECIAL SHARING. GIVING IS AT THE HEART OF THIS GIFT.THE GREEK WORD METADIDOMI IS MADE UP OF TWO MAIN PARTS: THE ROOT, DIDOMI,MEANS TO GIVE, IMPART, SHARE. THE PREFIX, META, INTENSIFIES THE GIFT BY ADDING THEIDEA WITH. IT IS A SHARING WITH OTHERS–A SPENDING OUT OF ONES LIFE FOR OTHERS.(W.E.VINE)
2.CHARACTERISTICS:
a) IDENTITY–THIS GIFT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY IN A PERSON. HE HAS ANALL-AROUND PERSONALITY. HE HAS TRAITS THAT LOOK LIKE A PERSON WITH THE GIFT OF SERVING. HECAN BE A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER. LIKE THE PERSON WITH THE GIFT OF PROPHECY AND THE TEACHER,HE LOVES THE WORD OF GOD.
b) GIVING–HE GIVES HIS TIME, POSSESSIONS, ENERGY, LOVE, AND MONEY FREELY WITH NOSTRINGS ATTACHED AND NO ULTERIOR MOTIVES. GOD USES HIM TO DISTRIBUTE THE RESOURCES OF GOD.HE IS CONVINCED EVERYTHING BELONGS TO GOD. HE LIKES TO GIVE WITHOUT OTHERS KNOWING ABOUTIT. WHEN HE IS GIVING, HE GIVES THE BEST QUALITY, HE DOES NOT SQUANDER HIS RESOURCES, BUTGIVES ONLY BY THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE WILL SEEK CONFIRMATION OF THE AMOUNT TOGIVE FROM SOMEONE CLOSE TO HIM. HE BELIEVES IN TITHING BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE IS A STEWARD OFGOD’S RESOURCES.
c) SUPPORTS AND CONTRIBUTES–HE LIKES TO BE PART OF THE MINISTRY TO WHICH HE GIVESMONEY. HE WILL GIVE TIME, ENERGY AND LOVE TO OTHERS TO ADVANCE THEIR MINISTRIES. THEPERSON WITH THE GIFT OF SERVING WILL IDENTIFY THE NEED. THE PERSON WITH THE GIFT OF GIVINGWILL COME ALONGSIDE TO HELP ONCE THE NEED IS IDENTIFIED.
d) HOSPITALITY–FOR HIM, HOSPITALITY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE. LIKE THE PERSON WITHTHE GIFT OF SERVING, HE LIKES TO HAVE PEOPLE IN HIS HOME. HOWEVER, THE INNER MOTIVATION ISDIFFERENT. SERVING IS MOTIVATED BY DEEDS. GIVING IS MOTIVATED BY PEOPLE.
e) BUSINESS AND WEALTH–HE IS NOT NECESSARILY WEALTHY BUT WHATEVER HE TOUCHES SEEMS TOTURN TO GOLD. GOD PROSPERS HIM SO AS TO ENABLE HIM TO GIVE. HE IS VERY INDUSTRIOUS ANDHARD WORKING. HE POSSESSES NATURAL AND GOD-GIVEN WISDOM IN BUSINESS. HE IS NOT EASILYDECEIVED. HE DOES NOT LIKE TO WASTE MONEY BUT LOOKS FOR THE BEST VALUES. HE DOES NOT SPENDMONEY ON HIMSELF. HE IS CAREFUL WITH MONEY AND CAN BE A LITTLE TIGHT.
f) PRAYER AND EVANGELISM–GOD HAS CALLED HIM TO PRAY FOR THE SALVATION OF OTHERS. HEHAS AN ABILITY AND INTEREST IN EVANGELISM. OFTEN HE IS NATURALLY EVANGELISTIC.
3.BENEFITS OF THIS GIFT:
a.HELPS AND ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO FULFILL GOD’S CALLING ON THEIR LIVES
b.THIS IS A UNIFYING GIFT IN THE BODY. HE
TENDS TO HOLD THINGS TOGETHER AS HE IS THE JACK OF ALL TRADES.
c.MEETS THE FINANCIAL NEEDS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
4.MANIFESTATIONS OF THIS GIFT:
a.SHARING OF MATERIAL THINGS, FOOD, CLOTHING LUKE 3:11
b.SHARING OF SPIRITUAL THINGS ROM 1:11
c.SHARING OF FINANCES FROM ONE’S OWN HONEST WAGES EPH 4:8
d.SHARING OF ONE’S OWN SELF 1THES 2:8
e.SHARING THE GOSPEL 1THES 2:8
5.CHILDHOOD EXPRESSIONS:
THIS CHILD HAS AN OPEN, FRIENDLY, RECEPTIVE DISPOSITION. HE EASILY ACCEPTS PEOPLE FORWHO THEY ARE. SHARING COMES EASILY. HE EASILY EXPRESSES LOVE AND SHOWS AFFECTION. HE GAINSJOY IN MAKING OTHERS HAPPY. HE OFTEN CAN GIVE VERBAL APPRECIATION AND POSSESSES ORALFREEDOM. HE STANDS OUT AS BEING AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT. HE HAS A PREFERENCE FOR OUTDOORSPORTS. HE IS AN ACHIEVER, INDUSTRIOUS, AND IS WHOLE-HEARTED. HE HAS A PEOPLE CENTEREDOUTLOOK AND IS NOT THREATENED BY THEM. HE FEELS STRONGLY ABOUT INJUSTICE AND DEALS FIRMLYWITH OFFENDERS. COMMON SENSE IS A WAY OF LIFE. HE CAN USUALLY BE CORRECTED WITH REASONING.HE HANDLES MONEY VERY WELL–NOT OVERLY TIGHT NOR A SPENDTHRIFT. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TODEFINE HIS GIFT AS A CHILD.
6.PEOPLE WITH THIS GIFT IN THE BIBLE:
ABRAHAM GEN 22 GEN 13-14
OBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS:
HAD POSSESSIONS TO SHARE (2)
WISE IN FINANCES (2)
SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS (2)
GAVE LOT THE BEST LAND (9)
BLESSED OTHERS (9)
FAITH IN GOD’S SUPPLY (9)
HAD WISDOM (9)
GAVE ENERGY AND TIME (14)
GAVE POSSESSIONS (16)
PROSPEROUS (19)
GIVES BY GOD’S LEADING (20)
WISE IN DECISIONS (23)
OTHERS:
DORCAS ACTS 9:36-42
CORNELIUS ACTS 10:1-31
EPAPHRAS COL 1;7 COL 4:12 PHILEMON 23
PAUL ROM 1:1-20 ACTS 9-28
LYDIA ACTS 16:14,40
ZACCHAEUS LUKE 19:1-10
SOLOMON 1KINGS 1-11 2CHRON 1-9
7.PROBLEM AREAS AND CAUTIONS THAT LEAD TO IMPROVING THIS GIFT–A CHALLENGE:
PERSONS WITH THIS GIFT DON’T HAVE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM AREAS TO THE EXTENT OF THE OTHER6 GIFTS. SOME POSSIBLE AREAS ARE:
a) CONTROL–HE CAN GIVE FREELY BUT WITH STRINGS ATTACHED IN ORDER TO CONTROL ASITUATION. SOMETIMES HE WILL PRESSURE OTHERS TO GIVE, BECAUSE HE THINKS OTHERS SHOULD GIVEAS MUCH AS HE GIVES. HE MAY USE MONEY TO GET OUT OF DOING OTHER HELPFUL THINGS.
b) FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS–HIS UNPREDICTABLE PATTERNS OF GIVING MAY UPSET CLOSE FAMILYMEMBERS. HE HAS TENDENCY TO SPOIL HIS CHILDREN AND RELATIVES.
c) NO TALENTS OR GIFTS–BECAUSE HE IS A “JACK OF ALL TRADES AND A MASTER OFNONE”, HE THINGS HE HAS NO GIFTS OR TALENTS. HE NEEDS TO DEVELOP A STRONG SENSE OFGOD’S CALLING AND A CLOSE PERSONAL IDENTITY WITH CHRIST. HIS HELP IS OFTEN TAKEN FORGRANTED.
d) CANNOT SAY “NO”–LIKE THE PERSON WITH THE GIFT OF SERVING, HE CAN BECOMETOO INVOLVED BECAUSE HE CANNOT SAY “NO” TO THOSE WHO NEED HELP.
e) PRAYER–DOES NOT CONSIDER HIS CALLING TO PRAYER SERIOUSLY.
HOMEWORK:
1.IF YOU THINK THIS IS YOUR GIFT, SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE HOW THE GIFT OPERATESFOR GOD’S GLORY.
2.IF YOU THINK THIS IS NOT YOUR GIFT, CONSIDER OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY AND THOSEIN YOUR CHURCH WHO FIT THIS PROFILE. WRITE THEIR NAMES HERE AND WHY YOU THINK SO.
