🙌 The Second Motivational Gift – Serving (Ministry)

Romans 12:5, Amplified Bible:
“So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ, the Messiah, and individually we are parts one of another – mutually dependent on one another.”

Romans 12:7, “He whose gift is practical service, let him give himself to serving.”

The Greek word that designates the second Motivational Gift is translated, “practical service,” here in the Amplified Bible, is “diskonia,” is translated as “minister” in the King James Version. It means “the doing of practical things in order to be of service to others.”  

The one who has the Motivational Gift of Server receives joy in being of use in a wide variety of ways, such as helping and assisting others, carrying out instructions, etc. 

This Motivational Gift of service meets the practical needs of others. Those being used in this Motivational Gift have an ability to see what needs to be done and then goes ahead and does it, feeling fulfilled that they can demonstrate love to others by their actions. 

The mature motivation of a server is to minister to Christ by meeting the needs of fellow believers, and, as he meets these needs, he frees others for their ministries. 

Guidelines for serving, given in Romans 12:10, are: 

1. To have kind affection 
2.  To have brotherly love 
3. To honor others 


CHARACTERISTICS OF A SERVER 

1. HE SEES AND MEETS PRACTICAL NEEDS

Needs, usually practical needs, that seem insignificant to others, is easily recognized by the server, and he is quick to meet these needs, knowing that be meeting needs he will bring encouragement, and strength, to those who receive his help. (Timothy, for instance in Philippians 2:20). Servers especially enjoy manual projects, jobs and functions because they feel their greatest joy when they are doing something that is helpful.  

2. HE FREES OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR MOTIVATIONAL GIFT

The joy of the server is not just the initiating of tasks, but it is also the joy of knowing that he is bringing a peace of mind to another person that will allow that person to be more productive in the tasks that God has called him to do. (Again, Timothy is a good example – Philippians 2:22). Servers are not leaders, they are followers, however they support others who are in leadership.  

3. HE HAS A DISREGARD FOR WEARINESS

Because the server sees the importance of the tasks that he has begun, he will freely use up personal assets of time, money and strength. His focus is not on himself, but rather, on the completion of the tasks that he knows will benefit the individual and bring joy to himself. Servers, generally, have a high energy level with only one seep: “Fast Forward!” 

4. HE HAS A DIFFICULTY IN SAYING “NO”

As the server effectively meets one need, others may ask for similar help, not realizing the inner motivation of the server. Because these requests represent needs, the server finds it difficult to turn them down and feels an obligation at having been asked, that is whey he has a hard time saying “no” to requests for help. He also finds it 
hard to accept being served by others. 

5. HE IS ALERT TO LIKES AND DISLIKES OF OTHERS

Those with the Motivational Gift of Service have an amazing ability to find out, and remember, the special interests of the people they serve. Not only are birthdays and anniversaries special occasions for them, but they can also, often, recall favorite foods, special colors, types of home furnishings, and favorite activities, all of 
which help to make every day occasions very special. Servers are more interested in meetings the needs of others than they are in meeting their own needs and they, rather than just verbalizing about how much they love others, show their love for others by tangible deeds and actions. 

6. HE HAS A NEED FOR APPROVAL

Despite the fact that servers do not serve other in order to be praised, nonetheless, expressed appreciation not only assures them that they’ve done well, but it also builds up a positive self-image in them as well. Despite the fact that appreciation confirms to the server that his work is necessary, and is being blessed by the Lord, he should always seek, and desire, clear direction as to his service. In 2 Timothy, note the praise, and precise instructions, that Paul gave to Timothy. 

7. HE LIKES SHORTRANGE PROJECTS

Because the tasks that attracts a server are usually those that meet immediate needs, he often becomes frustrated with long-range planning or a continuous task that seems to have no visible progress (See 1 Timothy 4:16 and 2 Timothy 2:3). Servers enjoy working on immediate goals rather than long-range goals. 

8. HE PUTS EXTRA THOUCHES TO JOBS

Because the server knows that by doing more than is expected of him he will not only delight the one being served, but will also demonstrate that he is doing it unto the Lord, he is more than willing to “go the second mile,” that for him may be some- thing such as – trimming and sweeping after he has mowed the lawn – or – putting a bow around a lunch box.

The server enjoys doing so much that he often tends to do more than he is asked to do. The server keeps everything in meticulous order because he cannot stand clutter, dirt or disorganization. He tends to be a perfectionist. 
A server enjoys showing hospitality The server will stay with something until it is completed. 

9. HE MEETS NEES QUICKLY

In an effort to complete tasks, and avoid delays, a server will try to avoid committees, and what appears to him to be unnecessary “red tape,” and will even be willing to use personal funds to achieve his goal. 

DANGERS THAT SERVERS SHOULD BE ALERT TO 

1. GIVING UNREQUESTED HELP

Because sometimes the needs that the server sees appear to be more important to the server than to the one being served, or it may even be that the one who has the need is not even aware of it to the degree that the server is, when the server uses his initiative to meet these needs, he may be judged as “pushy” – or “intrusive.” 

2. LETTING “THINGS” BE TOO IMPORTANT

In order to meet the needs of others, servers will often neglect their own home, and personal responsibilities, because, despite the fact that they will meet the serving needs at home, they will leave their other needs unmet. This transfer of attention may cause the reaction by the server’s family, and the feeling by the one being served, that too much attention is being put on physical things. Servers view serving to be of primary importance in life. 

3. WORKING BEYOND PHYSICAL LIMITS

Inner tensions can result in physical ailments, especially stomach problems, often occurs in the server. This condition is the consequences of his extending himself too far on one job, or taking on too many jobs (See 1 Timothy 5:23). 

4. NEGLECTING GOD-GIVEN PRIORITIES

Servers are often placed in positions of responsibility because they are diligent workers. It is then easy for them to volunteer a helping hand or become involved in tasks that they should be delegating to others and, as a result, this imbalance causes the server’s authority to become frustrated as assigned tasks are not completed on 
schedule. Servers prefer doing a job rather than delegating it. Because a server tends to make the assumption that others see what he sees, he can overreact to someone who, in his judgment, walks right past obvious needs, If the 
server tells someone about a need, and that person does not follow through on his suggestion, he may become resentful, and critical, of those who do not help out with what he feels are obvious needs.

 5. RESENTLING LACK OF APPRECIATION

If a server is given a physical job simply because he is a server, and is expected to get his joy from doing it, he may feel misused and, then, react in anger. He may also become angry if he feels the one whom he is serving is not making wise use of his time. The result of his anger will not only be a loss of perspective, but, also, a failure 
to remember that he is working for the Lord. The server is easily hurt when unappreciated. 

6. ATTEMPTIN TO WORK PEOPLE AROUND HIS SCHEDULE

Because the server very often lacks the desire, or ability, to properly delegate tasks, he will often develop his own time schedule and force others to adapt to it. His lack of delegation may also hinder his family from feeling involved in his serving and cause them, instead, to feel that they are being taken for granted. 

7. BEING FRUSTRATED WITH TIME LIMITS

Feeling that a rigid schedule may hinder him from the joy of additional serving, he may react against it, not realizing that this schedule is for his own protection.(See 2 Timothy 4, verses 9 and 21).
                                                                       
8. INTERFERING WITH GOD’S DISCIPLINE

When a server meets a need that God intended to use to bring about someone’s repentance, the purposes of God may be frustrated. (For instance, if a server had met the physical needs of the prodigal son while he was in the sty, it would have hindered his return to his father.) It is true that people function best in the Motivational Gift (s) 
with which God has endowed them with, however, it is also true that there may be times when God uses one in a Motivational Gifts other than the one (or ones) he is gifted in, whenever an occasion calls for it – meaning, there may be occasions when God will upon call someone to do a job outside the sphere of his usual Motivational Gift (Gifts) and, when this is the case, God gives one a special anointing that supersedes one’s “giftedness.” 

Scriptures for those who would like to make a farther study of what he Bible has to say concerning a Server, would be: 

Martha – Luke 10:38-42 and John 11:1-40 and 12:2 
Phoebe – Romans 16:1-2 
Stephen – Acts 6:1-15 and 7:1-60 
Philip (the “Deacon”) – John 1:43-45; 6:5-7 and 12:21-22; Acts 6:5; 8:5-40 and 21:8-9 
Onesimus – Colossians 4:9 
Peter’s Mother-in-law – Matthew 8:14-15 
Jacob – Genesis, chapter 25 through 30 

To cap this off, the description of someone with the Motivational Gift of Serving would be someone who: 

1. Notices the practical needs of others and enjoys meeting them 
2. Enjoys serving to free others for more important things 
3. Is willing to neglect his own work to help others 
4. Sometimes goes beyond his physical strength in serving others 
5. Can remember the likes, and dislikes, of others 
6. Can usually detect ways to serve before anyone else can 
7. Will even use his own funds to get a job done quickly 
8. Does not mind doing jobs by himself 
9. does not want public praise, despite the fact that he needs to feel appreciated 
10. Finds it difficult to say “no” to those who ask for help 
11. Likes to put “extra touches” on the jobs he does. 

How would someone with the Motivational Gift of Server react in certain situations? 

Let’s say that someone spills a plate of food on the carpet floor, a person with the Motivational Gift of Server would probably react by saying something like . . . “Oh, let me help you clean it up!” 

If, for instance, a person with the Motivational Gift of Server were to visit a sick person, they probably would respond with something like . . .“Here’s a little gift for you! I brought your mail in, fed your dog, watered your plants, and washed your dishes.”  

Perchance a speaker accidentally spills a glass of water that was on the pulpit while he was speaking, the person with the Motivational gift of Server might retort with something like . . .“I run and get a cloth to clean up the mess – and get you another glass of water.” 

 Motivation of the Server is to fulfill a need 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 UNDERSTANDING THE SERVER 

The ministry of the server may not appear to be a “spiritual” one, due to the fact that his Motivational Gift is to carry out practical needs. The one with Serving as his Motivational Gift is the kind of person who remembers exactly how you like your coffee – and what kind of pastry you care for. He doesn’t like to wait for anything and dislikes “red tape.” If someone were to tell him that it is going to take five years to build a church – he would say something like, “Why can’t we do it this week?” He will work – and work – and work for a project.  

He the kind that, mostly is apt to remember people’s birthday – who is going to have a baby – and when his friend’s wedding anniversary will be. 

He is the kind of person who will say, when something is needed to finish a project, “I’ll just pay for it, to same time and get the job done!”  The Server is super sensitive to the needs of others. 

THE PROBLEMS OF THE SERVER 

The one with the motivational Gift of Serving would not make a good organizer because he is eager to get the job done – and wants to get it done now! He does not do well with “longtime” limits, or goals! In his haste to get a job done, he may overlook the leadership and attempt to do it his way. He, or she, will be willing to get a pot of stew for someone sick – even clean their house for them – yet, maybe let his own meals go uncooked, or his own work unfinished. 

BIBLICAL – SERVER  

An excellent is found in Luke 10:38-42 where we see Martha busy, busy, busy – and asking Jesus, “Why doesn’t Mary help with the work?”  (Martha would make “a server” out of Mary, if she could) But Jesus said, “Mary has chosen the best thing – for her!” Mary, evidently, had the motivational Gift of “Teaching,” because she is seen at Jesus feet, learning. 

Mary always seems to be learning. Here, in Luke 10:38-42, she sees Jesus as Prophet; when Lazarus died, she sees Jesus as Priest, as He prays (John 11:41-42); and she saw Him as King when she anointed Him (John 11:2).  

Martha, the server, need to be careful that she wasn’t too busy serving that she forget who she is serving and ministering too – Jesus Christ! 

Martha’s problem was a short-sighted goal. She was thinking about the dinner tonight. 
Mary had the long-range goal – the anointing of Jesus and preparing for His burial (John 11:2 
and John 12:3-8 with Matthew 26:6-13). 

Jesus corrects Martha for being out of step with her serving motive. 

OTHER BIBLICAL SERVERS 

Ruth (the book of Ruth); – Dorcas (Acts 9:36, 39) – Peter’s Mother-in-Law (Acts 8:14
15)– and – Abigail (1 Samuel 25:18).          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Listed below are the titles of the seven Motivational Gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. You 
can choose any one – or more of them – and click on it to download and study. 
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #1 – PROPHECY, PERCEPTION 
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #2 – SERVING 
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #3 – TEACHING  
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #4 – EXHORTATION 
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #5 – GIVING 
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #6 – ADMINISTRATING (ORGANIZING) 
MOTIVATIONAL GIFT #7 – COMPASSION