Spiritual Growth: Your God-Given Gifts (2)

Book Review (Part 2)

Discover Your God-Given Gifts
by Don & Katie Fortune

This is the second post of a two-part review of one of my all-time favorite books, Discover Your God-Given Gifts. If you missed it, you can read the first post here.

The authors have presented their material in a straightforward, understandable way. They identify three categories of gifts or charisma in the Body of Christ:

● 7 Motivational gifts (natural) – Romans 12:6-8
● 9 Manifestation gifts (supernatural) – I Corinthians 12
● 5 Ministry gifts (leadership) – Ephesians 4:11

The focus of this book is the natural or Motivational gifts. Everyone has a gift! No one has been left out. The seven Motivational gifts are: Perceiver, Server, Teacher, Exhorter, Giver, Administrator, and Compassion.

Q. "Is it possible to have all seven of the motivational gifts in my life to some extent?"

A. "The answer is yes. We will see during the testing process that you have some scoring, no matter how little, in each gift. We are all endowed with enough of each gift to be able to operate in that area to some degree, when called on… Don’t ever let the knowledge of your particular motivational gift keep you from ministering in other areas. While it is true that… a compassion person would be aware of the hurting person sooner than others and move to meet the need, it does not mean that others are not able to reach out with compassion when it’s needed."—The Fortunes

According to 1 Peter 4:11, there are two distinctions within Motivational Gifts, leadership-speaking gifts (Perceiver, Teacher, Exhorter, Administrator) and practical-serving gifts (Compassion, Server, Giver). Each gift is of equal value.

Characteristics of the Administrator
(Self-Test)

We blogging Moms are a chatty bunch, so I’d like to summarize the authors’ description of the Administrator—a speaking gift and a "born leader." Other words that would describe this gift are facilitator, organizer, ruler, leader, superintendent. A person with this gift:

___1. Is highly motivated to get things organized.
___2. Expresses his ideas clearly.
___3. Prefers to be under authority to have authority.
___4. Will not take responsibility unless it is delegated.
___5. Will take the lead if no specific leadership exists.
___6. Enjoys working on long-term goals and projects.
___7. Is a visionary person with a broad perspective.
___8. Facilitates resources/people to accomplish goals.
___9. Enjoys delegating tasks and supervising people.
___10. Will endure criticism for the greater good of all.
___11. Has great zeal and enthusiasm for his projects.
___12. Finds greatest fulfillment in working toward goals.
___13. Is willing to let others get the credit.
___14. Prefers to move on to new challenges.
___15. Constantly writes notes to self.
___16. Is a natural and capable leader.
___17. Knows when to to introduce new methods.
___18. Enjoys working with and being around people.
___19. Wants to see things completed quickly.
___20. Does not enjoy doing routine tasks.

Problems of the Administrator include a) becoming upset when others do not share the same vision or goals b) developing an outer callousness due to being a target for criticism c) can regress to “using” people to accomplish own goals
d) tends to drive self and neglect personal and family needs e) neglects routine home responsibilities due to his intense interest in his job.

Biblical examples of gifted Administrators include Joseph (Genesis 30-40); King David; and James the brother of Jesus.

Characteristics of the Giver (Self-Test)

The authors say that of the seven motivational gifts, this is the least likely to be identified by the one who has it. This person has an "all-round" balanced personality, shares several traits of the server, can be a leader or a follower and has a love for the Word of God. However, the Giver is unique when it comes to the use of resources. A person with this gift...







___1. Gives freely of money, possessions, and love.
___2. Loves to give without others knowing it.
___3. Wants to feel part of the ministries contributed to.
___4. Intercedes for needs and the salvation of souls.
___5. Feels delighted when his gift is an answer to prayer.
___6. Wants gift to be of high quality.
___7. Gives only by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
___8. Gives to support 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 of the amount to give.
___13. Has a strong belief in giving tithes and offerings.
___14. Focuses on sharing the Gospel with the lost.
___15. Believes God is the source of his supply.
___16. Is very industrious with a tendency toward success.
___17. Has a natural and effective business ability.
___18. Likes to shop for bargains.
___19. Is definitely not gullible.
___20. Possesses both a natural and God-given wisdom.

Problems of the Giver

According to the authors, Givers do not have as many problem areas as some of the other gifts. Givers mainly wrestle with pride or lukewarmness—like the rest of us. Also, Givers may a) try to control how contributions are used b) tends to pressure others to give c) may upset family and friends with unpredictable patterns of giving d) tends to spoil their own children or other relatives e) may use financial giving to get out of other responsibilities.

Biblical examples of Givers include Abraham (Genesis 13-14, 22); Solomon; and Paul—who possessed secondary speaking gifts as well.

Summary of the Seven Gifts

Don’t recognize yourself in either of these descriptions? Space (and copyright) prevent me from quoting the entire contents of this book. However, following are a few words that characterize each of the seven gifts. It’s useful to compare them, and begin to grasp how marvelously God has structured the Body of Christ.

● Perceiver
__admonish__challenge__correct__dramatize__expose
● Server
__assist__detail__entertain__follow__help__wait on
● Teacher
__analyze__educate__learn__research__study__use logic
● Exhorter
__advise__counsel__encourage__guide__peruade__talk
● Giver
__acquire__budget__donate__entertain__evangelize__invest
●Administrator
__achieve__command__create__govern__lead__strategize
● Compassion
__be gentle__care for__comfort__feel__love__sympathize

Discovery Books Series

There are two more excellent books in the Discovery series including Discover Your Children’s Gifts and Discover Your Spouse’s Gifts. I’ve read all three paperbacks again and again. The information has been invaluable in helping me direct my children’s development, helping me to understand my mate, and helping me to work with others more effectively.


Around the Mom blogosphere, you may have noticed a wonderful abundance of Exhorters, Perceivers, Administrators, and Givers!

Photos: samuelcharlessolomonthethird, natmandu, Fatkatjr (Flickr)



What are your primary (and secondary) motivational gifts?