The 7 Motivational Gifts Explained

So, what exactly are these motivational gifts and what are they for? They are given to each of us for the purpose of helping us manage relationships in love—with those we know and those we do not know. They are with us—a part of us—from birth to grave and can be recognized at a very early age if we know what to look for.

These gifts are multi-purposed: to move humanity forward in faith; to bring us to wholeness; to support one another’s journey; to help us interact with others in peace and harmony. The motivation in which we use our gift(s) comes from an inner drive that we all have—to express love.

There are seven distinctly different purposes based on the needs of the recipient(s) of the gift. We each possess some aspects of all seven of the gifts, however, we are motivated by one primary gift, sometimes two. That gift will be our focus throughout life and will move us in the direction that God intends us to personally go; some call it our calling.

The root word for the motivational gifts is “charisma.” This comes from the word “char” which means joy. “Charis” is the word for grace which involves God giving us the desire and power to accomplish his will. In the Strong’s Concordance, we learn that “charisma” is a gift of grace. That grace is extended as we move in the direction of his will. Grace is also a gift that enables us to do his will.

Here's an example of how one might use their gift: Let’s say I am out of groceries and I have no money left until I get paid in three days. A neighbor learns is touched in her heart when she learns of my predicament so brings me some groceries. I am then receiving God’s grace and love through her gift of giving. I have not earned the groceries. My neighbor who has the gift of giving saw my need and responded in love.

Grace gives us the ability to extend God’s love when we see someone who’s life circumstance draws on our inner motivation. Grace also enabled the neighbor to hear God’s voice and act on it. She was moved with compassion to meet a basic need of life necessary to sustain us on earth—food for the body! We could paraphrase this example to mirror Matthew 25: 35-36: “I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me.”

In addition to the motivational gifts, the scriptures also teach us about the Ministry gifts found in Ephesians 4 and the Manifestation (spiritual) gifts discussed in I Corinthians 12:4-6 and 27-31. In essence, we exercise our motivation through our ministry (work or profession), and the Holy Spirit determines the specific manifestation of God’s presence that will be needed to benefit the receiver the most.