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Motivational Gift Characteristics

Below you can explore each Motivational Gift and a set of characteristics. Some may resonate with your more than others, but they are a general description of the tendencies observed in people who have such gifts, including some problematic areas to be aware of.

Perceiver

Characteristics of The Gift of Perception

  1. Quickly and accurately identifies good from evil and hates evil.
  2. Sees everything as either black or white, with no gray or indefinite areas.
  3. Easily perceives the character of individuals and groups.
  4. Encourages repentance that produces good fruit.
  5. Believes accepting difficulties produces positive personal brokenness.
  6. Has only a few or no close friends.
  7. Views the Bible as a basis for truth, belief, action, and authority.
  8. Boldy operates on spiritual principles.
  9. Is frank, outspoken, and doesn’t mince words.
  10. Is very persuasive in method of speaking.
  11. Grieves deeply over sins of others.
  12. Is eager to see his/her own blind spots and help others to see theirs too.
  13. Desires above all to see God’s plan worked out in ALL situations.
  14. Strongly promotes the spiritual growth of groups and individuals.
  15. Is called to intercession.
  16. Feels the need to verbalize or dramatize what they “see.”
  17. Tends to be introspective.
  18. Has strong onions and convictions.
  19. Has strict personal standards.
  20. Desires to be obedient to God at all costs.

Biblical Perceivers

  1. John the Baptist (Luke 3:2-20)
  2. Mary (Matt. 1-2)
  3. Hosea (Hosea 1-14)
  4. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1-52)
  5. Jonah (Jonah 1-4)
  6. Isaiah (Isaiah 1-66)

Typical Problem areas of Perceivers

  1. May be judgmental and blunt.
  2. May forget to praise partial progress due to goal consciousness.
  3. May be pushy in trying to get others and groups to mature spiritually.
  4. May be intolerant of opinions and views of others and groups to mature spiritually.
  5. May struggle with self-image.

Server

Characteristics of The Gift of Serving

  1. Easily recognizes practical needs and is quick to meet them.
  2. Especially enjoys manual projects, jobs, and functions.
  3. Keeps everything in meticulous order.
  4. Is a detail person with a good memory.
  5. Enjoys showing hospitality.
  6. Will stay with something until it is completed.
  7. Has a hard time saying no to requests for help.
  8. Is more interested in meeting the needs of others than own needs.
  9. Enjoys working on immediate goals rather than long range goals.
  10. Shows love for other in deeds and actions more than in words.
  11. Needs to feel appreciated.
  12. Tends to do more than asked to do.
  13. Feels greatest joy in doing something that is helpful.
  14. Does not want to others or projects.
  15. Has a high energy level.
  16. Cannot stand to be around clutter.
  17. Tends to be a perfectionist.
  18. Views serving to be of primary importance in life.
  19. Prefers doing a job to delegating it.
  20. Supports others who are in leadership.

Biblical Servers

  1. Martha (John 11:1-40)
  2. Stephan (Acts 6:1-15)
  3. Philip-Onesimus-Philemon
  4. Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2)
  5. Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt. 8:14-15)

Typical Problem areas of the gift of Serving

  1. Is critical of others who do not help out with obvious needs.
  2. May neglect own family’s needs by being too busy helping others.
  3. May become pushy or interfering in eagerness to help.
  4. Finds it hard to accept being served by others.
  5. Is easily hurt when unappreciated.

Teacher

Characteristics of The Gift of Teaching

  1. Presents truth in a logical, systematic way.
  2. Validates truth by checking out the facts.
  3. Loves to study and do research.
  4. Enjoys words studies.
  5. Prefers to use biblical illustrations rather than life illustrations.
  6. Gets upset when scripture is used out of context.
  7. Feels concerned that truth be establish in every situation.
  8. Is more objective than subjective.
  9. Easily develops and uses large vocabulary.
  10. Emphasizes facts and the accuracy of words.
  11. Checks out the source of knowledge of others who teach.
  12. Prefers teaching believers to engaging in evangelism.
  13. Feels bible study is foundational for the operation of all the gifts.
  14. Solves problems by starting with scriptural principals.
  15. Is intellectually sharp.
  16. Is self-disciplined.
  17. Is emotionally controlled.
  18. Has only a select circle of friends.
  19. Has strong convictions and opinions based on investigation of facts.
  20. Believes truth has the intrinsic power to produce change.

Biblical Teachers

  1. Apollos, Aquila, Pricilla (Acts 18:24-28)
  2. Timothy (1 and 2 Timothy)
  3. Luke (Luke, Acts)
  4. Thomas (John 20:24-28)

Typical Problems Areas of the Gift of Teaching

  1. May neglect the practical application of truth.
  2. May be slow to accept viewpoints of others.
  3. May develop pride in intellectual ability.
  4. May be legalistic and dogmatic.
  5. May be easily sidetracked by new interests.

Exhorter

Characteristics of the Gift of Exhortation

  1. Loves to encourage others to live victoriously.
  2. Wants a visible response when speaking or teaching.
  3. Prefers to apply truth rather than research it.
  4. Prefers systems of information that have practical applications.
  5. Loves to prescribe precise steps of action to aid personal growth.
  6. Focuses on working with people.
  7. Encourages other to develop in their personal ministries.
  8. Finds truth in experience and then validates it with scripture.
  9. Loves to do personal counseling.
  10. Will discontinue counseling if no effort to change is seen.
  11. Is fluent in communication.
  12. Views trials as opportunities to produce personal growth.
  13. Accepts people as they are without judging them.
  14. Is greatly loved because of his/her positive attitude.
  15. Prefers to witness with life rather than verbal witnessing.
  16. Makes decisions easily.
  17. Always completes what is started.
  18. Wants to clear up problems with others quickly.
  19. Expects a lot of self and others.
  20. Needs a “sounding board” to bounce off ideas and thoughts.

Biblical Exhorters

  1. Barnabas (Acts 4:36)
  2. Peter (Acts 2:14-41)
  3. Titus (2 Cor. 8:6-23)
  4. Aaron (Exodus, Lev., Numbers)

Typical Problem areas of the Gift of Exhortation

  1. May interrupt others in eagerness to give opinions or advice.
  2. May use scripture out of context in order to make a point.
  3. May be “cut and dried” in prescribing steps of action.
  4. May be outspokenly opinionated.
  5. May become over self-confident.

Giver

Characteristics of the Gift of Giving

  1. Gives freely of money, possessions, time, energy and love.
  2. Loves to give with others not knowing about it.
  3. Wants to feel a part of the ministries to which they contribute.
  4. Intercedes for needs and salvation of souls.
  5. Feels delighted when their gift is an answer to a specific prayer.
  6. Wants gifts to be of high quality or craftmanship.
  7. Gives only by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
  8. Gives to support and bless others or to advance a ministry.
  9. Views hospitality as an opportunity to give.
  10. Handles finances with wisdom and frugality.
  11. Quickly volunteers to help where a need is seen.
  12. Seeks confirmation on the amount to give.
  13. Has strong belief in tithing and in giving in addition to tithing.
  14. Focuses on sharing the gospel.
  15. Believes God is the source of their supply.
  16. Is very industrious with a tendency toward success.
  17. Has a natural and effective business ability.
  18. Is definitely not gullible.
  19. Likes to get the best value for the money spent.
  20. Possesses both natural and God given wisdom.

Biblical Givers

  1. Abraham (Genesis 13-14)
  2. Dorcas (Acts 9:36-42)
  3. Cornelius (Acts 10:1-31)
  4. Lydia (Acts 16:14,40)
  5. Solomon (1 Kings 1-11)

Typical Problem areas of the Gift of Giving

  1. May try to control how contributions are used.
  2. May pressure others to give.
  3. May upset family and friends with unpredictable giving.
  4. May spoil their own children and other relatives.
  5. May use financial giving to get out of other responsibilities.

Ruler

Characteristics of the Gift of Ruler

  1. Is highly motivated to organize that for which they are responsible.
  2. Expresses idea and organization in ways that communicate clearly.
  3. Enjoys being under authority in order to have authority.
  4. Will not take responsibility unless delegated by those in authority.
  5. Will assume responsibility if no specific leadership exists.
  6. Especially enjoys working on long range goals and projects.
  7. Is a visionary person with a broad perspective.
  8. Easily facilitates resources and people to accomplish tasks or goals.
  9. Enjoys delegating tasks and supervising people.
  10. Will endure criticism in order to accomplish the ultimate task.
  11. Has great zeal and enthusiasm for that which he/she is involved in.
  12. Finds greatest fulfillment and joy in working to accomplish goals.
  13. Is willing to let others get credit in order to get the job done.
  14. Prefers to move on to new challenges once something is complete.
  15. Constantly writes notes to self.
  16. Is a natural and capable leader.
  17. Knows when old methods are working and when news ones are needed.
  18. Enjoys working with and being around people.
  19. Wants to see things completed as quickly as possible.
  20. Does not enjoy doing routine tasks.

Biblical Rulers

  1. Joseph (Gen. 37-50)
  2. Nehemiah (Neh. 1-7)
  3. David (1 Sam. 16-31)
  4. Deborah (Judges 4-5)
  5. Jairus (Mark 5:22-43)

Typically Problem areas of the Gift of Ruler

  1. May become upset when others do not share the same vision or goals.
  2. May develop outer callousness due to being a target for criticism.
  3. Can regress into “using” people to accomplish own goals.
  4. Can tend to drive self and neglect personal and family needs.
  5. Can neglect routine home responsibilities due to intense interest in “job.”

Mercy

Characteristics of the Gift of Mercy

  1. Has tremendous capacity to show love.
  2. Always looks for good in people.
  3. Senses the spiritual and emotional atmosphere of a group or individual.
  4. Is attracted to people who are hurting or in distress.
  5. Takes action to remove hurts and relieve distress in others.
  6. Concerned for mental and emotional distress more than physical distress.
  7. Is motivated to help people have right relationships with each other.
  8. Loves opportunities to give preference or place to others.
  9. Takes care with words and actions to avoid hurting others.
  10. Easily detects insincerity or wrong motives.
  11. Is drawn to others with the gift of mercy.
  12. Love to do thoughtful things for others.
  13. Is trusting and trustworthy.
  14. Avoids conflicts and confrontations.
  15. Does not like to be rushed in a job or activity.
  16. Is typically cheerful and joyful.
  17. Is ruled by the heart rather than the head.
  18. Rejoices to see others blessed and grieves to see others hurt.
  19. Is a crusader for good causes.
  20. Intercedes for the hurts and problems of others.

Biblical Mercy people

  1. The good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35)
  2. John (John 1-21)
  3. Ruth (Ruth 1-4)
  4. Rachel and Rebekah (Genesis 22-49)

Typical Problem areas of the Gift of Mercy

  1. Tends to be indecisive.
  2. May be prone to take up another person’s offense.
  3. May be easily hurt by others.
  4. May emphasizes too much with the suffering of others.
  5. Affectionate nature can be misinterpreted by opposite sex.