The Ministry of Helps is for everyone

Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?
Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:28-30)

In this passage Paul is talking about different ministries in the church. God has given you, me and every Christian certain capacities and abilities in Him with which we are to serve the people of God. Together, if all is done properly, we should be able to replicate the total ministry of Christ on earth. For we are the temple of God, and Christ lives in us.

But not every member of the body has the same function. Paul asks rhetorically “are all apostles?”. The implied answer is ‘No’. Neither are all prophets. Paul goes through a list here of different ministries that not everyone is called to.

In the first list God mentions the gifts of helps. He doesn’t mention it in the second part. He does not ask, “Do all have the gift of helps?” The reason for this is, that every one of us is called to the ministry of helps. We are all called to practical service of one another. We are ALL called to help others in their calling.

If you have no other ministry role, you are definitely called to the gift of helps anyway. This is the gift to facilitate something in the church. It could be setting up the sound equipment, or playing a musical instrument (helping the praise and worship), or videoing the messages, or cleaning the meeting place. It could be helping other ministers and missionaries financially, so that they can get on with what they are called to do without pursuing other careers.

Every one of us from the smallest to the greatest is called to the ministry of helps. I myself have this ministry, in starting TV channels, in creating websites, in giving to other ministries and so on. The gift of helps can express itself in many ways.

Remember that Jesus taught his 12 apostles that they should wash each others feet.

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)

This footwashing was considered a lowly servants job. Jesus led the way by first of all washing His disciple’s feet. He told us to do likewise.

If the twelve apostles of the Lamb were instructed to do humble jobs, who are you or who am I to think we are not called for menial tasks? Faithfully doing menial tasks in a humble, thankful spirit is a part of what it means to serve Christ. Don’t tell me about your other amazing gifts and callings, if you can’t or won’t do this. It doesn’t impress me at all, and it certainly doesn’t impress God.

“just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Find out how you are supposed to HELP. Pray that God develop the gift in you, knowing that it is an honour to serve others. Never think that unlike Jesus, you did not come to serve but to be served. Paul does not say here that not all are called to helps. We are all called. So get cracking!