Helps = supernatural support to exponentially multiply the gifts of others

The gift of helps is the divine strength or ability to work in a supportive role for the accomplishment of tasks in Christian ministry.

The truth is that spiritual gifts are not always sensational or centerstage. They’re supernatural, but they’re not always flashy. In the same way that some parts of our human bodies are rarely shown to others— or are only revealed in the most sacred places— the most honored and revered gifts may never be seen (1 Corinthians 12:23-24).

The effects are seen, but the gift might not be

Let me show you what I mean…

Jesus’ first miracle occurred at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. While He was there, the new couple ran out of wine. This would have been easy to do, as weddings in that culture were multiple day affairs.

But it was a problem. The party needed to continue. Especially since marriage is the metaphor Christ chose— or perhaps even created— to denote His relationship to the church (see Ephesians 5:25f., Revelation 21:2f.).

Mary sought Jesus’ help (John 2:2f.). He informed her that it wasn’t yet time to reveal Himself, but she persisted. She told the servants to do whatever He asked of them, effectively ignoring His suggestion that He wait to reveal Himself later.

When the servants looked to Jesus for direction, He asked them to fill six large pots with water (20-30 gallons each), and then take a sample to the master of the feast (i.e., the caterer). They did, and were told this was the best wine of the entire celebration (2:10).

Customarily, most people served the best wine first, bringing the lesser quality drinks out when people were too tipsy to tell the difference. The caterer assumed the groom intentionally broke convention and held the good wine until the end. This shows us that not even he the man organizing the flow of food knew where the wine really originated.

In fact, only a few people knew.

• Mary knew, as she set the entire miracle into motion with her bold request—by graciously pushing her Son into a corner (2:3)
• A handful of servants knew, as they drew the water and then took the wine to the caterer (2:9)
• The disciples knew, as this provided them with a unique glimpse at Jesus’ power and humility (2:11)

But no one else had any idea. The gift blessed everyone, even if they were clueless that it even occurred.

Grasp that. The majority of the people were oblivious to the miracle they enjoyed!

That’s how many of the gifts operate. People see the effects of them, that is, they see the fruit, but they might not see the work which generates it.

Or, the gift is used and enhances someone else’s gift. Rather than drawing attention to the gifted person, it exponentially increases the capacity of another.

My experience with helps

When I was in college, I wrote and performed a play with two other guys my age. We never even thought about using lights, background music, or even sound effects. I wrote the script to allow for a simple stage.

Two men in our church, Roger and Art, felt I should give it a second thought. Roger was a tech-genius who could run any kind of light system or manage any type of soundboard; Art was a studio-caliber musician. The two of them sat in on our final dress rehearsal, asked if they could take some creative license to assist, and then ran with it. Since I trusted each of them, I was happy to let them take artistic control of those two domains.

The result was this: everyone thought me, Michael, and Phillip— my two partners on that project— were fabulous. At the same time, they hardly noticed Roger and Art (which is the way each of those men wanted it), because their gifts served to enhance ours.

Why did everyone think the guys onstage were great?

Because Art and Roger made us look that way. They made awkward transitions entertaining, they highlighted the right things onstage and hid the unnecessary movements that might have been distracting, and we looked better for it. They were the “hidden parts” Paul writes about, the parts that deserve greater honor and esteem (1 Corinthians 12:23-24). All that to say this: some of the most powerful ministry happens behind the scenes.

Where do we see it?

People with the gift of helps may serve others in their vocation, they may assist, or they may lead total departments in the way Roger and Art did. The key, in my mind, is two-fold:

• They use their gift to enhance the gifts of others
• They do so at a supernatural level

Different than giving

By the way, on another page we distinguished this gift from the spiritual gift of giving with the following chart. Many times people with the gift of helps assume it’s “giving.”

These are two different gifts. As such, embrace the gift you have— and walk in it!

Note: the above distinction isn’t to minimize either gift. Remember, every part of the body is different, it is placed by God’s design, and it is desired for the greater good of all of us!

For more on helps, see Mark 15:40-41, Acts 9:36, Romans 16:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:28.