What is the spiritual gift of helps?

"Helps" is listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as part of one of the Bible's spiritual gifts lists. The spiritual gift of helps is a special "spiritual talent" God gives certain believers. Those with the gift of helps have an uncanny ability to perceive the needs of others—whether physical, emotional, or spiritual—and desire to fulfill those needs, regardless of personal benefit or loss. When they serve, they serve with compassion, humility, and grace.

The spiritual gift of helps can be used in such a wide range of opportunities, it would be hard to cover them all. Basically, those with the gift of helping will have strong empathy for others and a sense of needs that must be met in individuals' lives. Helpers render their gift of service to build up others, assisting and supporting the body of Christ.

They may help an elderly widower in the neighborhood by shoveling snow or doing yard work for him. They may carry a single mom's groceries out to her car while she wrangles her kids. They may volunteer at their church, workplace, or school to do mundane tasks that no one else wants to do, because they recognize, without disdain, that these jobs can and should be done.

Beyond the practical application, a believer with the spiritual gift of helps has the unique ability to see when someone has emotional or spiritual needs as well, and their heart will be filled with a willingness to help. They may visit those isolated due to illness or other reasons, bringing them friendship in their loneliness. They may offer words of love, care, and gladness to a discouraged friend. They may offer spiritual encouragement to a fellow believer who is struggling with her faith, using words "like apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11).

Believers with the spiritual gift of helps are invaluable to the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the Body of Christ. They come alongside those in need and help them carry those burdens. They take the time to see those needs fulfilled, without asking for anything in return. They do not crave acknowledgment or gratitude because the act of helping is what brings them joy.

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." —Galatians 6:2

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TL;DR

"Helps" is listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as part of one of the Bible's spiritual gifts lists. They have an uncanny ability to perceive the physical, emotional, or spiritual needs of others and have a desire to fulfill those needs, regardless of personal benefit or loss. They serve with compassion, humility, and grace. Believers with the spiritual gift of helps are invaluable to the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the Body of Christ as they help carry the personal burdens of others. They do not crave acknowledgment or gratitude because the act of helping is what brings them joy.

Writer/Editor: Catiana (Cat)

Cat is the web producer and editor of 412teens.org. She is known as "412teens" on the 412teens Discord. She loves audiobooks, feeding the people she cares about, and using Christmas lights to illuminate a room. When Catiana is not cooking, gardening, or practicing creativity, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, five socially-awkward cats, and her amazing friend-amily.

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