The spiritual gift of helps is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as one of the gifts of the Spirit given to believers in Christ. The Greek word translated “helps” in this verse is antilepsis, which means “support” or “aid.” This gift involves bearing the burdens of others and providing assistance to those in need.
Some key things the Bible teaches about the gift of helps:
1. It complements other gifts
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the church to a human body, with many parts working together. He explains that God has appointed various spiritual gifts in the church so that Christians can build each other up in unity and love (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). The gift of helps is meant to come alongside other gifts and enable them to be used more effectively. For example, those with the gift of teaching need helps from those who can handle logistics and details so they can focus on teaching.
2. It expresses love for others
The gift of helps is activated by agape love, the selfless love that seeks the good of others (1 Corinthians 13). Those with this gift have compassion, humility, and sensitivity toward those in need. They find joy in lifting burdens, not receiving recognition. Their love fuels practical service.
3. It provides physical assistance
This gift often includes physical help, relieving tangible needs. For example, when the early church was growing rapidly, the apostles realized they needed help caring for widows so they could focus on preaching (Acts 6:1-6). Seven men full of the Spirit and wisdom were appointed for this service role. Their helping gifts supported the leadership.
4. It handles tasks that enable ministry
Helps can also involve behind-the-scenes support – the many administrative or logistical details that are vital for ministry. In Acts 18:24-28, Aquilla and Priscilla used their home to host Apollos and explain the gospel more accurately to him. Their hospitality enabled his preaching ministry. They helped maximize his impact for the kingdom of God.
5. It plays a key role in the body of Christ
Those with the gift of helps do the heavy lifting in the background so others can fulfill their roles. They handle tasks that would distract others from their gifts. The body needs the humble service of those with helps for it to function smoothly and effectively (1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Each part depends on the others.
There are many ways the gift of helps can be expressed:
Ways the Gift of Helps Can Be Expressed
– Providing meals, childcare, transportation for those in need
– Cleaning, maintenance, event setup/teardown
– Volunteering for church ministry roles
– Hospitality – hosting, greeting, ushering
– Completing projects, administrative tasks
– Handling finances, bookkeeping
– Moving, home repairs, manual labor
– Visitation of sick and elderly
– Organizing, resource management
– Counseling, listening, encouragement
– Writing, proofreading, editing, research
– Technical/computer assistance
The gift of helps is not glamorous. Those who have it serve quietly behind the scenes, lifting loads so others can fulfill their calling and focus on their own gifts. But this gift is the oil that keeps everything else running smoothly. The church desperately needs these humble servants.
Key Examples of the Gift of Helps
There are many examples of those in the Bible who demonstrated the gift of helps:
Tabitha (Acts 9:36)
Tabitha was “full of good works and acts of charity.” She cared for widows by making them clothing. Her gift of helps provided practical aid. When she died, the widows grieved deeply, showing how she had ministered to them.
Martha (Luke 10:38-42)
Martha loved to serve, providing hospitality and food to Jesus. She had the gift of helps, though Jesus cautioned her not to let serving distract her from listening and learning at his feet. Both receiving and giving were needed in balance.
Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
Onesiphorus frequently refreshed Paul in ministry, unashamed of his imprisonment. He diligently searched for Paul when he was in Rome to provide aid. His gift of helps brought encouragement.
Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)
Phoebe was known as a servant of the church in Cenchreae who provided hospitality. Paul said she had been a great help to many, including him. Her home was open to meet needs.
Dorcas (Acts 9:36-39)
Dorcas spent her time making clothing for widows in Joppa before she died. She was “full of good works and charitable deeds.” This is a picture of the gift of helps providing practical support through sewing skills.
Cautions for Those With the Gift of Helps
While tremendously beneficial, the gift of helps also comes with certain cautions. Those who have this gift should be aware of these dangers:
– Trying to do too much themselves rather than delegating when needed
– Becoming overburdened and burning out from meeting so many needs
– Resenting a lack of recognition or praise for behind-the-scenes work
– Being taken advantage of by those wanting services
– Becoming distracted from their own spiritual growth and time with God
– Measuring their worth by how much they get done rather than who they are in Christ
To avoid these pitfalls, those with helps need to prioritize their relationship with Jesus, set healthy boundaries, share burdens with others, and focus on serving from a place of rest. They need community and accountability like every believer.
Developing the Gift of Helps
For those who feel they have the spiritual gift of helps, here are some tips for growing in this gift:
– Look for unmet needs you can quietly fill without expectation of reciprocation or thanks.
– Assess your skills and interests that could be useful in serving and helping roles.
– Offer assistance to church ministries teams. Don’t wait to be asked.
– Learn to listen well to discern how to bear others’ burdens.
– Use hospitality to care for guests and make them feel valued.
– Meet urgent needs when possible, but also help people become self-sufficient.
– Work hard, but set boundaries so you don’t face burnout.
– Learn to say no when overwhelmed.
– Guard your relationship with God and keep your motives pure.
– Mentor others on how they can use their gifts and talents to help.
– Seek community and accountability to stay spiritually sharp.
Operating in the gift of helps requires an others-focused attitude and a willing spirit. As Paul says, we should “through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13). But this gift must be exercised in wisdom, not burnout or imbalance. Our service should flow from intimacy with Jesus.
Empowering Those With the Gift of Helps in the Church
For churches seeking to empower and utilize members with the gift of helps, pastors and leaders should:
– Frequently express gratitude for those serving behind the scenes.
– Make sure helps volunteers are included in the body, not taken for granted.
– Check in on their spiritual and emotional health from heavy loads.
– Delegate responsibilities based on giftedness in helps. Match gifts to roles.
– Provide resources or tools needed for optimal service.
– Give opportunities to try different areas of helping based on interests.
– Publicly highlight their contributions so others see their value.
– Collaborate with them directly on how to enhance ministry effectiveness.
– Urge them to take regular Sabbath rests to refuel.
– Avoid overload by recruiting more volunteers to share burdens.
– Incorporate helps members into leadership teams.
– Help establishes boundaries so they are not overburdened.
– Ensure they take time to focus on their own spiritual growth.
– Emphasize their worth comes from being children of God, not just tasks.
The gift of helps is a precious gift that keeps the church running practically behind the scenes. Those who possess this gift need support and wisdom so they steer clear of burnout and imbalance while meeting urgent needs. Their humble service should be honored.
Biblical Examples of People With the Gift of Helps
Here are some biblical characters who demonstrated the gift of helps in their service:
– Bezalel and Oholiab – Skilled craftsmen helps construct the tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-36:2)
– The Levites – Helped transport the tabernacle and assisted the priests (Numbers 1:47-54)
– Joshua – Aided and encouraged Moses as his assistant (Exodus 24:13, 33:11)
– Elisha – Poured water on Elijah’s hands as his servant (2 Kings 3:11)
– Martha – Provided hospitality and served meals to Jesus (Luke 10:38-42)
– Simon of Cyrene – Carried Jesus’ cross to help him (Mark 15:21)
– Onesiphorus – Refreshed Paul and sought him out in prison (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
– Epaphroditus – Ministered to Paul’s needs as his fellow worker (Philippians 2:25-30)
– Phoebe – Provided hospitality and aided many as a servant (Romans 16:1-2)
– Dorcas – Made clothing for widows in her community (Acts 9:36-39)
– Priscilla & Aquila – Hosted church meetings in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19)
The gift of helps in action is seen throughout Scripture. Behind every great biblical leader was a team of people who supported the ministry through service. Their acts of love and support reveal the Spirit-empowered gift of helps.
Tips for Serving Your Church With the Gift of Helps
Those who want to use their gift of helps to serve the church should:
– Take initiative to identify needs instead of waiting to be asked
– Meet urgent needs quickly while also investing in long-term solutions
– Focus on empowering others to serve in their gifts rather than just doing it yourself
– Use hospitality to make visitors and members feel cared for
– Handle behind-the-scenes logistics and details to remove distractions for leaders
– Operate machinery, handle tools, maintain facilities, do manual labor jobs
– Provide transportation, prepare food, send care packages to the sick or hurting
– Babysit for parents serving in other ministries, care for special needs kids
– Serve on hospitality, maintenance, events, finance, IT, or administrative teams
– Write encouraging notes, send texts to lift spirits, make phone calls to lonely
– Visit elderly members or shut-ins to provide company and meet felt needs
– Organize community service efforts, recruit volunteers, gather resources
– Proofread, edit, format, copyedit to support communications and publishing
– Provide technical help with sound, lighting, video, computer issues
– Research topics, gather information, compile reports to inform decisions
– Teach classes on skills that can help equip others to serve more effectively
The gift of helps behind the scenes makes every other ministry possible. All it takes is a willing heart to serve in love!
Differences Between the Gift of Helps and the Gift of Service
The spiritual gifts of helps and service are similar but have some distinct differences:
Helps:
– Focuses on coming alongside others to lift their loads
– More behind-the-scenes supporting roles
– Meeting immediate urgent needs
– Less public visibility or recognition
Service:
– More broad ministry to the church in general
– Serves the overall cause, not just individuals
– Looks for longer-term needs to meet
– Can include public-facing ministry roles
Helps provides more one-on-one personal assistance, while service promotes the overall health of the church body. Helps assists individuals, service builds up the group as a whole.
Helps involves filling gaps and responding to urgent needs as they arise. Service looks ahead to fill roles and functions that are missing to balance the church ministry.
Helps comes alongside those in leadership to remove distractions. Service works within a ministry team to put plans into action.
Helps provides necessary support and aid to enable other gifts and ministries. Service makes sure the church has all the elements and gifts needed to fulfill its purpose.
Both are necessary gifts valued by God! But helps is more person-focused, service is more church-focused. They work hand-in-hand to build up the body of Christ.
Is the Gift of Helps Really a Gift?
Some question if helps should actually be considered a spiritual gift, since serving others is expected of all believers. A few key reasons it qualifies as a genuine gift:
1. The gift of helps is explicitly listed along with other gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12:28.
2. Those with the gift of helps have an extraordinary passion and sensitivity toward meeting practical needs. They go far beyond general kindness.
3. Helps is their unique ministry focus and burden, not just an occasional act of service.
4. They have distinctive abilities to “help the weak” as Romans 12:8 explains this gift.
5. Helps relieves others to focus on their own gifts. Without helps the church leadership and ministries would be severely hindered.
6. While we all serve at times, those with helps do it with supernatural joy and endurance.
7. The gift is evidenced by effectiveness over time in supporting and undergirding others.
8. Helps has the inner witness of the Spirit and confirmation from the body about their gifting.
The gift may look simple, but don’t minimize it. As Paul said, even “the parts that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1 Corinthians 12:22). The gift of helps is a mighty gift from God for the church!
Biblical Encouragement for Those With the Gift of Helps
For those who have the gift of helps and serve quietly with little fanfare, the Bible provides much encouragement:
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” (Hebrews 6:10)
“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.” (Acts 20:34)
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
God sees your service, and it matters greatly to Him. Keep your eyes on the eternal reward!
Prayers for the Gift of Helps
If you have the spiritual gift of helps, here are some sample prayers:
“Lord, keep me from serving in my own strength. Let your love flow through me to serve others with compassion, joy, and humility. Use my hands and feet to bless your body.”
“Jesus, protect my heart from weariness, resentment, or wounded pride. Guard me from comparison and keep my motives for service pure. Renew my spirit daily.”
“Holy Spirit, open my eyes to practical ways I can come alongside the church leaders and ministries here. Show me how to fill gaps, handle details, and remove distractions so your work can advance.”
“God, help me steward my time and energies well. Grant wisdom to know when to say yes and when to say no. Teach me to rest in you, not just work for you. My worth is in your love, not my works.”
“Thank you, Father, for choosing me to be the hands and feet of Jesus through service. What an honor! Keep me on my knees in worship, relying fully on your strength.”
“Lord, make me a conduit of your love. May those I serve see you and not just my imperfect efforts. Use my gift of helps to lift burdens and empower others in their gifts.”
As you serve in this gift, stay connected to the Giver. Let his Spirit fill you continually with his compassion and grace.Serve from the overflow of his presence within.
Conclusion
The spiritual gift of helps is God’s provision for the behind-the-scenes service and support that enables ministries to thrive. Those with this gift have a heart for seeing practical needs met through assisting others unselfishly. Their humble service provides indispensable oil to keep the machinery of church ministries running smoothly. Every Jesus follower should look for opportunities to help and serve. But those with the gift of helps embrace service with extraordinary passion and effectiveness. The church needs these precious members, and they need the church’s care and support to stay spiritually healthy. As each part does its work, the whole body builds itself up in love through the power of the Spirit.