Spiritual Gift of Helping - The Spiritual Gifts Project

The Spiritual Gift of Helps

The spiritual gift of Helps (or Helping) is the Spirit-empowered ability to joyfully and effectively assist others so that the ministries, mission, and practical functions of the church flourish. It is the quiet, steady support of those who often prefer to work behind the scenes yet are foundational to the body of Christ.

Where some gifts receive attention, the gift of Helps provides strength, stability, and structure.

As Dr. Laurin beautifully illustrates:

“A steel truss in a building supports its roof, yet it is not seen. Without the truss the roof would be impossible.” (Laurin, 226)

Those with this gift are the spiritual “trusses” of the church—rarely seen, but essential to everything God builds.

What the Gift of Helps Is

The gift of Helps is:

The special ability to meet practical needs
A Spirit-led desire to relieve burdens from others
A capacity to take on tasks that empower other ministries
Joy in humble service without recognition
Sensitivity to needs that others overlook
Strength to complete difficult or unpleasant tasks with grace
A divine enablement that frees others to use their gifts effectively

People with this gift are often the first to notice what needs to be done, and the first to quietly take initiative.

Different From the Gift of Serving

Though closely related, the gift of Helps has a distinct individual call:

Helps → Often works independently, responding to specific needs
Serving → Often works cooperatively or broadly across the body

Those with Helps tend to:

Step into tasks that no one else sees
Prefer to take responsibility personally
Thrive when meeting individual spiritual and practical needs
Experience deep personal fulfillment through unseen service

This gift is intensely personal and relational.

The Heart of a Helper

Those with the gift of Helps display several spiritual traits:

Quiet strength
Deep compassion for the body
Spiritual intuition about hidden needs
Courage to tackle difficult or messy tasks
Joy in making life easier for others
Humility that refuses the spotlight

Their service is not mechanical; it is deeply pastoral and spiritual.

A couple of actual user testimonies illustrate this well:

“I believe being a good listener goes hand in hand with this gift… I feel the Holy Spirit leading me when people don’t share their needs.” —Tricia

“I typically help with things others may not want to do. I don’t take credit for it; it’s God-given.” —Chris

Helpers feel closest to Jesus when helping others—because they reflect His servant-heart.

Biblical Foundations

The gift of Helps appears in 1 Corinthians 12:28 as one of the Spirit’s essential gifts for the church.

Jesus modeled this gift perfectly:

Washing feet
Feeding people
Caring for the sick
Touching the outcast
Meeting quiet needs others missed

God values small and unseen acts:

“Whoever gives even a cup of cold water… will not lose their reward.”
—Matthew 10:42

This gift is deeply Christlike.

Ministry Expressions of Helps

This gift often shows up in:

Caring for the sick
Preparing meals
Maintaining church facilities
Setting up and tearing down events
Administrative support
Hospitality
Crisis care
Practical assistance for families, seniors, or the vulnerable
Meeting spiritual needs through tangible acts

Helpers often serve both inside and outside the church.

Common Misunderstandings About Helps

It’s easy to misinterpret this gift. Here are seven key misunderstandings:

Thinking it is unimportant
Scripture teaches the opposite—this gift is essential.
Believing it lacks spiritual depth
Helps is deeply spiritual; it expresses Christ’s servant-heart.
Confusing it with general volunteering
This gift is Holy Spirit–empowered, not simply willingness.
Overlooking the emotional sensitivity of helpers
Helpers often sense needs intuitively.
Assuming helpers prefer to work endlessly
They often need encouragement and support too.
Expecting helpers to say “yes” to everything
Not all needs are Spirit-led assignments.
Failing to celebrate unseen service
Helpers rarely seek recognition but deeply need affirmation.

Historical Perspectives

Martin Luther

Luther didn’t write about “Helps” as a formal category, but he strongly emphasized:

The holiness of practical service
The dignity of caring for the poor, sick, and marginalized
The call of the church to meet physical and spiritual needs
The idea that everyday service is a divine vocation

For Luther, serving others is a direct expression of the Gospel.

John Wesley

Wesley likewise did not separate “Helps” as a technical gift but taught extensively that:

Practical service is essential to Christian holiness
Love for neighbor must be demonstrated in action
Every believer has a calling to serve
The church must care for physical and spiritual needs

Wesley’s movement created hospitals, orphanages, schools, and relief ministries—embodiments of this gift.

The Catholic Church

The Catholic tradition recognizes “Helps” as part of the charism of Service:

Practical support
Hospitality
Care for the poor
Meeting physical and spiritual needs
Humble, behind-the-scenes work
Ministry that imitates Christ the Servant

Service is seen as a central expression of Christian love.

People With This Gift Often…

Serve behind the scenes without needing to be asked
Take joy in freeing others to use their gifts
See what needs doing before others notice
Feel God’s pleasure in practical responsibilities
Attache spiritual value to ordinary tasks
Prefer doing a job themselves over delegating
Sense God prompting them toward specific people or needs
Feel purposeful when their help lightens another’s burden
Demonstrate reliability, thoroughness, and compassion

These individuals are the “heartbeat” of church life.

Bible References

Luke 8:2-3	Women traveling with Jesus as helpers
Luke 22:24-30	Jesus says “I am among you as one who serves”
John 13:14-17	Jesus washes the apostle’s feet
Acts 6:1-7	Apostles choose disciples specifically to tend to the widows so others can minister.
Romans 12:3-8	We all have different gifts, given by the Holy Spirit
Romans 16	Paul’s personal thanks to those who have helped him and his ministry
1 Corinthians 12:28	Gift of Helps specifically mentioned by Paul
Galatians 6:2	“Carry each other’s burdens”
Philippians 2:19-23	Paul speaks of Timothy and his “genuine interest in your welfare”
1 Peter 4:11	God provides strength to those who serve

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