Cross Balance

bullet1 Characteristics of motivational gifts

    Adapted from Discover Your God-given gifts: Don and Katie Fortune

This table summarises the typical characteristics associated with the seven motivational gifts,
showing how they tend to correspond with the spectrum of temperament types

 
PERCEIVER
 (Meets spiritual needs)
Declares the will of God, and keeps us centred on spiritual principles.
Identifies good and evil quickly
Sees everything as black or white
Easily perceives character
Encourages repentance to do good
Believes trials help build character
Has few or no close friendships
Views Bible as basis for truth, belief
Works boldly on spiritual principles
Frank, outspoken, doesn't mince words
Very persuasive in manner of speaking
Grieves deeply over sins of others
Eager to see own blind spots
Desires God's plan worked in all cases
Strongly promotes spiritual growth
Is called to intercession
Needs to verbalize/dramatize what seen
Tends to be introspective
Has strong opinions and convictions
Has strict personal standards
Strongly desires to be obedient to God
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
Tends to be judgmental and blunt
Forgets to praise progress to goal
Pushes others to mature spiritually
Intolerant of others' opinions/views
Struggles with self-image problems
RESEARCHER
(Meets mental needs)
Researches and teaches the Bible, and keeps us studying and learning.
Presents truth in logical way
Validates truth by checking facts
Loves to study and do research
Enjoys word studies
Prefers biblical than life examples
Upset if Bible used out of context
Concerned that truth reigns always
Is more objective than subjective
Easily develops large vocabulary
Emphasises facts/accuracy of words
Checks source of others' knowledge
Prefers teaching than evangelizing
Feels Bible study is foundational
Solves problems from Bible principles
Is intellectually sharp
Is self-disciplined
Is emotionally self-controlled
Has only select circle of friends
Strong convictions based on facts
Believes truth has power to change
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
Neglects practical uses of truth
Slow to accept others viewpoints
Tends to develop pride of intellect
Tends to be legalistic and dogmatic
Easily sidetracked by new interests
  
COMPASSION
(Meets emotional needs)
Provides personal support, and keeps us in right attitudes and relationships.
Has tremendous capacity to show love
Always looks for good in people
Senses spiritual/emotional atmosphere
Attracted to hurt/distressed people
Acts to remove hurt/distress
Gives priority to mental/emotional
Encourages right relationships
Loves to give preference to others
Chooses words/actions to avoid hurt
Detects insincerity or wrong motives
Drawn to others with compassion gift
Does thoughtful things for others
Is trusting and trustworthy
Avoids conflicts and confrontations
Doesn't like to be rushed in a job
Is typically cheerful and joyful
Is ruled by heart rather than head
Likes others blessed, not hurt
Is a crusader for good causes
Intercedes for hurts and problems
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
Tends to be indecisive
Prone to take up another's offense
Is easily hurt by others
Empathizes too much with suffering
Affectionate nature often misread
GIVER
 (Meets material needs)
Shares material assistance and keeps specific needs provided for.
Gives freely money, things, time, love
Loves to give without others knowing
Wants to feel part of ministries
Intercedes for needs and salvation
Delighted if gift answers prayer
Wants gifts to be of high quality
Gives only by leading of Holy Spirit
Gives to support and bless others
Views hospitality as way of giving
Handles finance with wisdom/frugality
Quickly volunteers to help if need
Seeks confirmation on amount to give
Strong belief in tithing (and more)
Focuses on sharing Gospel
Believes God is source of supply
Industrious with tendency to success
Natural and effective business ability
Likes best value for money spent
Is definitely not gullible
Has natural and God-given wisdom
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
May control how contributions used
Tends to pressure other to give
May upset by unpredictable giving
Tends to spoil own children/relatives
Gives money as easy way out
ADMINISTRATOR
(Meets functional needs)
Gives leadership and direction, keeps us organized and increases our vision.
Highly motivated to organise
Expresses ideas/organisation clearly
Likes authority so as to delegate it
Not responsible if no delegation
Assumes responsibility if no leader
Enjoys long-term goals and projects
Visionary with broad perspective
Easy facilitator to accomplish tasks
Enjoys delegating and supervising
Endures criticism to get job done
Has great zeal and enthusiasm
Enjoys most accomplishing goals
Willing to let others take credit
Prefers new challenge when old done
Constantly writes notes to self
Is a natural and capable leader
Knows when to replace old with new
Enjoys working with people
Wants to finish things quickly
Does not enjoy routine tasks
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
Upset if same vision not shared
Develops callousness from criticism
Can use people to accomplish goals
Neglects personal and family needs
Neglects home responsibilities
 
SERVER
(Meets practical needs)
Renders practical service and keeps the work of the ministry moving
Recognises practical needs and acts
Enjoys manual projects and jobs
Keeps everything in meticulous order
Is a detail person with good memory
Enjoys showing hospitality
Will stay at activity until completed
Hard time saying no to requests
Likes meeting others needs than own
Likes short-term goals than long
Shows love by actions than words
Needs to feel appreciated
Tends to do more than asked
Feels most joy in helping
Does not want to lead others/projects
Has a high energy level
Cannot stand to be around clutter
Tends to be a perfectionist
Views serving as most important gift
Prefers doing job than delegating it
Supports others in leadership
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
Critical of other who do not help
May neglect family's needs
May become pushy in eagerness to help
Finds it hard to accept others' help
Is easily hurt when unappreciated
EXHORTER
 (Meets psychological needs)
Encourages personal progress and keeps us applying spiritual truths.
Loves to encourage others
Wants response when teaching/speaking
Applies truth rather than research it
Prefers information of practical use
Prescribes precise steps for growth
Focuses on working with people
Encourages personal ministries
Finds truth in experience, then Bible
Loves personal counseling
Stops counsel if no effort to change
Fluent in communication
Trials are opportunities for growth
Accepts people without judging them
Loved because of positive attitude
Prefers witness by action to word
Makes decisions easily
Always completes what is started
Wants to clear up problems quickly
Expects a lot of self and others
Needs to bounce ideas off others
POSSIBLE WEAKNESSES:
Interrupt in eagerness to advise
Uses Scripture out of context
Too cut and dried in giving advice
Is out spokenly opinionated
Can become overly self-confident