Bible
Key Verse: Verse 7 – “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;”
Key Words: Or ministry
There are seven grace
gifts mentioned in Romans 12: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation,
giving, rulership, and mercy.
The word ministry is where we get our word deacon,
someone who serves or waits on others.
When the person with the gift of ministry is being
controlled by the Holy Spirit, they love to serve. They love to serve the prophet so the prophet
can focus on truth. They love to serve
the teacher so they can teach. They
serve the exhorter so they will have time to motivate. They serve the ruler so they can
organize. They serve the person with the
gift of mercy so that others may be encouraged.
The most frustrating thing to the person with the
gift of ministry is to use their gift so you can use yours and to be a blessing
to others and you fail to do so. It will
be difficult if you fail to use your gift for them to minister to you in the future.
The following is an example of the gift of ministry
in action. An elderly widow, restricted
in her activities, was eager to serve Christ.
After praying about this, she realized that she could bring blessing to
others by playing the piano. The next
day she placed this small ad in the Oakland
Tribune: “Pianist will play hymns by phone daily for those who are sick and
despondent--the service is free.” The
notice included the number to dial. When
people called, she would ask, “What hymn would you like to hear?” Within a few months her playing had brought
cheer to several hundred people. Many of
them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was able to help and
encourage them.
The gift of ministry is a blessing to so many...so
if you have the gift, use it for God’s glory.
You will never know this side of heaven how much God is using you.
✞ We don’t all have the gift but we should all be thankful for those who do.
