Server
You are a server. You could be called “helper” or “facilitator” or even “minister.” All the motivational orientations are important, but this one is often less prominent or visible than some of the others. Since you have this orientation, that’s usually fine with you, but it can be a challenge sometimes because you may get less recognition from people than you deserve.
Introduction
These orientations are based the gifts listed by Paul in Romans 12:6-8, in which he says that each member of the body of Christ has a gift, each gift is important and the gift is given to serve the rest. The emphasis here is on serving the body, and Paul says to exercise our gift according to the grace given to us. It’s the style in which you act.
“⁶ Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; ⁷ if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; ⁸ or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:6-8 (NASB)
This orientation is based on the gift of serving spoken of in Rom 12:7.
Definition
The word “serving” is translated from the Greek word diakonia, from the root word diakonos meaning attendance as a servant. In this verse, the word “serving” is also translated “ministry,” “ministration” and “administration.” It especially means service or ministering of those who execute the commands of others. It was used of waiting on tables and is the word from which we get “deacon.” The word “serving” is a broad term with several applications, for example, ministry of the word to unbelievers in Acts 6:4. “Despite its place between prophesying and teaching, the narrower meaning of service as ministration to the material needs of believers is probable here.” (Expositor’s Bible Commentary)
Paul says in verse 6 that the person is to exercise the gift “according to the grace given to us.” Then in verse 7 he says “if service, in his serving.” The KJV reads “Or ministry, [let us wait} on [our] ministry.” This seems connected to the idea of the root word of waiting on tables. Servers are to serve with an attitude towards watching and waiting upon others. The Message reads “If you help, just help, don’t take over.” And do it with grace.
Servers are one of the “hands” and “feet” of the body; they act, they meet needs, they distribute aid and they make things happen. Servers are oriented to help. They enjoy helping others; it’s not an interruption or a distraction but rather it’s very satisfying to them to be involved in meeting another’s needs.
Serving as a gift is motivated by a great desire to meet practical needs and render specific assistance. This gift is often best exerted through deeds rather than words. For this reason those gifted as the “hands” of the body seem equipped with unique physical stamina with disregard for weariness. Helping, carrying out instructions, being used in a wide variety of ways, they really do seem to “see” what needs to be done, and to exert themselves in order to render specific assistance so that others can be freed to do other things.
Characteristics in the Life of Timothy
1. An ability to see practical needs and a desire to meet them. Timothy’s desire to meet needs is confirmed by Paul in Philippians 2:20.
2. A joy in serving when it frees others to do more important things, not just keep busy. Timothy served Paul so that Paul could carry out his ministry, (Philippians 2:22).
3. A tendency to disregard personal health and comfort in serving others. Timothy’s physical ailments were known the whole time to Paul, (I Timothy 5:23).
4. A difficulty in saying “no” resulting in a variety of involvements and a tendency to get sidetracked. Timothy was told twice not to get sidetracked or distracted, (I Timothy 4:9, 21).
5. A special enjoyment in providing physical needs and comforts, and an ability to remember likes and dislikes. Timothy was instructed to bring Paul his cloak, books, and especially the parchments, (II Timothy 4:13).
6. A need for appreciation to confirm that service is necessary and satisfactory. A desire for clear instructions (without time limits) Timothy was given more instruction and praise by Paul than any other assistant, (I and II Timothy).
7. A strong desire to be with others, thus providing more serving opportunities. Timothy is always seen working with others, (Acts 16:2; 17:14, 15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4).
8. An enjoyment of short-range projects and a tendency to become frustrated with long-range responsibilities. Timothy was urged to maintain the endurance of a soldier and to continue in the calling that he was given, (I Timothy 4:16; II Timothy 2:30).
9. A tendency to feel inadequate and unqualified for spiritual leadership. Paul reassured Timothy that he was qualified by his ordination and by the training of his mother, grandmother and Paul, (I Timothy 4:14; II Timothy 3:10 - 14; II Timothy 1:5).
Challenges with the Gift of Serving
People with this gift may experience the following:
1. Neglecting home responsibilities to help others.
2. Accepting too many jobs at one time.
3. Wearing themselves out physically.
4. Being too persistent in giving unrequested help to others.
5. Going around proper authorities in order to get the jobs done.
6. Excluding others from helping on a job.
7. Interfering with God’s discipline by premature help.
8. Becoming hurt by the ungratefulness of those who were helped.