Motivational Gifts: Discovering the Motivation Behind Who You Are and What You Do

By Jean-Marc Louise

About the Book
Have you ever thought, "what makes us tick?" or "why are we wired a certain way?" Have you ever compared yourself to your siblings and wondered why you are so different in personality and have different interests and desires? Yet, you were born of the same parents, given the same upbringing and been taught the same principles and practices of life as they? Have you ever noticed why you and your spouse are on different wavelengths and never seem to see eye-to-eye on the way you do things? As much as you try to change how they are to how you would like them to be, it never works out. Have you ever recognised what you are good at and what motivates you to action as compared to those around you who do not feel moved in the same way? Have you ever considered why colleagues excel effortlessly whilst you have to apply yourself far more in the same discipline or in the same line of work to reach the same goal? Or perhaps, you have found yourself gravitating towards certain types of people whilst avoiding others who appear incompatible with you in character. So much of what we are in person can be attributed to the motivational gifts that exist within the makeup of our personality. These gifts not only define who we are, but crucially, it unveils the truth behind what motivates us to engage in the complexities of life.
My hope and prayers are that you, the reader, would fully grasp the importance of motivational gifts and understand their underlying influence in our lives. Secondly, I hope it will teach you tolerance of others, particularly those who are motivated differently from you. Finally, you will learn to identify the gifts that reside in others and, by doing so, draw from their strength, particularly in the areas where you lack. Each believer in Christ should aim to become like Jesus, who functions in all the gifts in perfect equilibrium.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Jan 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798890278258

Book preview

THE GIFTS IN PERSPECTIVE

There are effectively three categories of gifts listed in the New Testament. The first of these is the Ministry gifts which is located in Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:28. This particular category of gifts is given to those who are called to specific offices in the body of Christ. The second category is what I term the manifestation gifts or what is commonly referred to as spiritual gifts. Its source of reference is found in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. This category of gifts operates entirely by the leading of the Holy Spirit who…... distributes them to believers as he wills. In contrast, motivational gifts operate entirely by the will of the individual. 

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

Romans 12:6-8 

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone SPEAKS, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone SERVES, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

In Romans, Chapter 12, seven gifts are mentioned that are divided into two categories:

The  speaking gifts comprise prophecy, exhortation, and teaching.

The  serving gifts comprise ministering, giving, leading and mercy.

The three tough cookies are prophecy, teaching and leading. Those who possess a high level of all three of these gifts will be people of very strong characters. The next two are considered neither tough nor soft depending on what other gifts work alongside them; they are the ministry-motivational gift and the giving-motivational gift. The final two gifts being exhortation and mercy are considered soft touches by those who have them in short supply in the makeup of their character.  

PROPHECY = PROPHETICALLY-MOTIVATED PERSON

MINISTRY = SERVING-MOTIVATED PERSON

TEACHING = TEACHING-MOTIVATED PERSON

EXHORTATION = EXHORTER-MOTIVATED PERSON

GIVING = GIVING-MOTIVATED PERSON

RULING = LEADING-MOTIVATED PERSON

MERCY = MERCY-MOTIVATED PERSON

Motivational gifts are for everyone. All seven gifts are resident in the personality of each person. Therefore, everyone, whether Christian or not, possesses one or more of the gifts to a high degree. Conversely, some gifts are less of an influence on one’s personality because they are low on one’s proverbial Richter scale.

If a scenario arises where seven people in a church, each possessing the different gifts, are asked what they would consider an essential aspect of church ministry, we will probably get seven different answers:

The Prophetically-motivated person would probably emphasize the importance of fire and brimstone-type preaching. They would want to see the leaders confront sinful living among their members. They would like to see more emphasis placed on righteous living and wish for leaders to take a more hard-line approach toward those who have taken a more liberal viewpoint. They would also like to hear more sermons on God’s judgement and God’s warning to come. They believe the only way the church can move forward in its quest to fulfil God’s will is to cleanse its pews of all lukewarmness and put the fear of God back into people.

The Serving-motivated would like a more hands-on approach to ministry. They would emphasize the importance of church members mucking in to help others carry the load. They are not moved so much by expository teaching or by exegesis. They want messages to be simplistic and practical in their application.

The Teaching-motivated would cast his vote on the importance of biblical teaching. First, they want to understand the complexities of scripture. So, what they are taught and how they are taught will determine their contentment or lack thereof. Second, they want their minds to be stimulated and challenged by the teaching of God’s word. Nothing is more important to them than that. For them, knowledge is power. So, the more they learn, the happier they’ll be in themselves. Third, they desire to see the church rise up and confidently meet the challenges that confront them in the world in which they live. So, things like a Bible school or Christian discipleship course will receive a thumbs up from