The Gifts of Practical Assistance

When the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are brought up for discussion, our minds will often immediately jump to the extraordinary gifts like prophecy, signs and wonders, healing, or the interpretation of tongues. But we easily forget that there is a host of spiritual gifts that are practical. We can call these the gifts of practical assistance. They include things like the gift of generosity, of hospitality, of serving, or of encouragement. We might be tempted to see these gifts as plain or less spiritual, but we would be sorely mistaken. These powerful gifts are essential to the health of the body of Christ and accomplishing His mission. The church community desperately needs those who have the gift of encouragement to speak up and lift up others. Those who have the gift of generosity to release finances and provision. Those who have the gift of serving should get involved and get things done. If you have received some of the gifts of practical assistance, don’t compare or feel discouraged; you can accomplish great things by exercising what you have.

Reflection questions:

• Have you ever downplayed the gifts of Practical Assistance? Why or why not?
• What might change in your life if you didn’t belittle or neglect the gifts of Practical Assistance but decided to embrace them?