Ministry Gift of Benevolence

Definition:

Someone who has been given a special ability to feel great mercy and compassion for those who are suffering physically, emotionally or spiritually, and provide them with needed support and encouragement. Those with the ministry of benevolence help the body of Christ mend its wounds. They counsel, exhort, support and provide resources to people in need.

Biblical References:

  • Romans 12:8
  • Acts 9:36
  • James 2:15-16
  • Luke 6:36

Typical Ministry Characteristics:

  1. Drawn to wounded people. Singularly focused on ministering to those who are hurting, unloved or unwanted, and giving them needed emotional support. Effectively ministers to the chronically ill. Very patient at staying alongside the sick and providing them with ongoing assistance
  2. Supernatural ability to empathize with people who are suffering. Excellent at communicating with hurting people and coming to a quick understanding on what kind of support they need. Has a divinely anointed compassion that touches people at the center of their being.
  3. Like to be one on one with people. Good emphatic listeners who can give people a great amount of unconditional love and acceptance. Not usually a public speaking ministry.
  4. Strongly people oriented in their ministry approach. Place a very high priority on personal relationships and protecting the feelings of others. Find it hard to be confrontational with others even when it is necessary to do so. More emotional lhan conceptually driven. Has a strong inclination to make decisions that are based on feelings and perceptions.
  5. Bring people to Christ through their acts of mercy. Show kindness to people without regard to their faith or background. Inspire those who are suffering to accept the Lord through their actions and friendship.

General Information

The gift of benevolence is someone with supernatural mercy. The word used to describe this ministry is eleeo. which literally means to have compassion or pity upon through some word or deed. This word is used forty times in the New Testament and its usage is almost always connected with ministry among the poor and the downtrodden of society.

The Example Of Dorcas

Dorcas is described in Acts 9: 36 as someone who may have had this ministry gift. It tells how she was "always doing good and helping the poor". The word "always" identifies her as someone who showed a great amount of mercy and compassion to destitute and impoverished people. Every believer is called on by the Lord to assist and help the poor and those who are suffering. But it is a divine passion for this kind of work that distinguishes those with the gift of mercy from the rest of the church.

Looks For Opportunities To Show Mercy

They take mercy beyond the point where most believers find themselves. Reacting to emergencies or occasionally coming to the aid of someone they happen to see in need. Those with the gift of benevolence go looking for opportunities to help others. They seek out the poor, the outcast, the suffering, and the discouraged.

Is A People Focused Ministry

Those with this ministry gift tend to be particularly good at ministering to others one-on-one. They are excellent at listening, have great patience, and are very sensitive to people's feelings and emotions. They usually develop relationships with others very quickly, and will tend to generate great trust and confidence from other people.

Communicate Important Encouragement

Most importantly, these individuals have an extraordinary ability to communicate encouragement and hope to those who are suffering and in need. They can give the kind of help and assistance that really makes a difference in someone's life. They offer people practical and ongoing support that will carry them through a difficult situation. Their work is more than the result of dedicated service and good intentions. It is divinely inspired and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

You will often find people with this ministry gift working both in and outside the church in programs that deal with the blind, the poor, the aged, the handicapped, the shut-ins, the mentally ill, or the incarcerated.

Differ from Exhorters

Those with the ministry of mercy differ from an exhorter in several important ways. First, an exhorter is primarily focused on ministering to the spiritual needs of other believers. The ministry of benevolence, however, is focused primarily on helpless and hurting people. Exhorters minister to everyone, including those who are doing well but are just in need of some encouragement. A person with this ministry cares primarily for the poor and destitute; those suffering major illnesses; people who cannot help themselves. Finally, exhorters can accomplish their ministry in larger group settings, but this calling is generally more personal and requires one on one ministry.