Having Gifts That Differ: Serving Gifts

Scripture Texts: Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:8-10; I Peter 4:7-11

Last week we looked at three speaking gifts and this week we consider four serving gifts.  All these definitions, characteristics and cautions will be on the church web page tomorrow, or just ask me for a copy.

These gifts “serve” the church or enable God’s work by providing support in both spiritual and practical areas.  They are about putting others first or meeting the needs of others so they are free to exercise their spiritual gifts.

Remember all these traits are commanded of all of us.  The difference for some is they have a special enabling or anointing and do their gift above and beyond what is normally expected, or more freely or more frequently or more fruitfully than the rest of us.

There is an interesting difference between what Paul says about the speaking gifts and what he says about the serving gifts.  Paul adds an exhortation, or a caution against a particular temptation that those with these gifts might have in doing their gift.