There are three sets of "ministering" gifts listed in the New Testament.  These are normally called:

(1) The Motivational Gifts (Rom 12:3-8),
(2) The Five-Fold Ministry Gifts (Eph 4:7-16),
(3) The Spiritual Or Charismatic Gifts (1 Cor 12:7-11).

I refer to these as a whole as "ministering" gifts.  The word "minister" means "to serve".  So a "minister" is a "servant".

Mark       9:33-37
And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?  But they held their peace:  for by the way they had disputed among themselves, Who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them,  If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Luke       9:46-48
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.  And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

John      13:1-17
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.  And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples'feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter:  and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?  Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.  Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.  Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit:  and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord:  and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Washing the feet was the job of the lowest servant.  Remember John, the Baptist, saying he was not worthy to loose the strap of Jesus' shoe (Luke 3:16)?  Jesus set the example of how to serve or minister.  Condescend to men of low esteem (Rom 12:16), to edify (build up), to exhort (encourage), and to comfort (to strength) each other.

Each one of us is given at least one ministering gift (at least one motivational gift) at spiritual birth.  We all have a ministry or service to the body of Christ.  The gifts given to the Body as a whole, thru an individual; the gifts are not given to an individual as a whole (i.e., to function only in that individual's personal affairs).  But a person moving in the gifts toward the whole Body of Christ will receive benefits from that gift moving in his personal affairs also.

1 Cor     12:7
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Romans    12:5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Eph        4:16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Eph        4:7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

1 Peter    4:10-11
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

1 Cor     12:18-21
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.  And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

So we all, not only have a ministry to the rest of the body, but we have need of the rest of the body also.

Let me give you an example of ministering.  Lets say a person fell down and you were going to help them up.  Most people would stand over them, extend a hand down and pull up with their back.  Spiritually speaking in this case, the helper or minister is standing in such a place as the injuried cannot see god because the helper is in between and blocking the view.  Also, the minister is helping with his back (a good way to get hurt, if not also pulled off balance and fall himself).  Instead, we should condescend to the level (get behind them in a squating position, which is well balanced and can use the legs for lift), assist them up, while pointing them to god, face to face.  This also puts you in a position to see god, and be drawn/lifted up by him.


I. Gifts Verse Talents

    A. Talents:     Natural Abilities A Person Is Physically Born With,
                        And Then Develop Over Time.

    B. Gifts;        Spiritual Abilities, Given By God, After Spiritual Re-Birth,
                        Which Are Not Developed, But Manifested By God
                        (Normally When Moved By Faith Of Individuals).
                        Unbelief, Doubt, And Sin Will Hinder God From Manifesting The Gifts


II. Receiving the Gifts:

    A. At re-birth:          Sometimes, the spiritual ability is given and afterwards at times is manifested
                                   without conscience effort of having received or applying faith to use it. 
                                  (e.g., discerning of spirits, word of knowledge, word of wisdom.)

    B. After re-birth:     by applying faith to ask and receive these gifts.  Just because you ask
                                  for a gift does not necessarily mean you will get it,
                                  but it is scripturial to desire additionalgifts (1 Cor 12:31, 1 Cor 14:1),
                                  and that they be imparted by laying on of hands (2 Tim 1:6).

Note: Sometimes you see God drawing an unsaved person by usage of a "gift". (e.g., Cornelius saw a vision {discerning of spirits}, Acts 10:1-6).  The "gift" is not being given to them, but is being used as a way to draw them to God.  If they do not come to God, then it is never manifested again to them.  If they come to God, it may continue to operate in their lifes (e.g., Paul's vision on the way to Damascus).

    C. Level of manifestation grows with:
        (1) usage (faith and word)
        (2) character growth (can be trusted with more)
        (3) anointing (Baptism with the Holy Spirit)
             ==> a person may receive any of the gifts (except speaking in tongues, and interpertation)
                    in a small portion of potential operation, before the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
                    But full usage or power only comes after full receiving of the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
             ==> e.g.:  the Holy Spirit is symbolized by oil.  He is also the one
                    who baptizes you into Jesus (the blood) (1 Cor 12:13, 1 John 5:8).
                    You could imagine the Spirit leaving two hand prints of oil on you
                    after your re-birth.  But after the Baptism  with the Holy Spirit,
                    you are covered from head to toe with the spirit (or oil).


III. Order of Gifts:

    A. There is an order of the gifts, which also is the order of the church, or in the church.  Some people say that the higher order or authority gifts are the better gifts.  There is some true to this, but the best gift in general is not necessarily the best gift in specific.  If you need "healings", then miracles (a higher gift) is not the best gift for you at that time.  If you know your child is in trouble, and you want to interceed for them in prayer, but don't know what to pray,  then tongues is the "best" gift at that time.  Also, the higher the gift, the higher the responsibility with it.

                1 Cor     12:28-30
                And God hath set some in the church,
                first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers,
                after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
                Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
                Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues?  do all interpret?

    Note: This is not an all-inclusive list.


IV. Trinity's Purposes in the Gifts:


                1 Cor     12:4-6
                Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
                And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
                And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same
                God which worketh all in all.

    A. Notice that the Father (God):

- is responsible for overall operations. This is like a C.E.O. of a company.  He is responsible for setting the goals or purposes of the company.  God set the purposes and outcome of creation before the foundation of the world.
- gives us the motivational gifts (Rom 12:3-8) to motivate us to work in the kingdom.

    B. Notice that Jesus (Lord):

- is responsible for the administrations, or the day to day operations of creation. 
- is the head of the Church, administering to the Body.
- gives us the five-fold ministry gifts (Eph 4:8-11) to have order to the administration or running of the body.

    C. Notice that the Holy Spirit (spirit):

-  is responsible for diversities of gifts.  These are the charismatic gifts (1 Cor 12:4-11). 
- works on the earth with us, as a first line supervisor (immediate boss), to train us, and equip us with the tools (gifts) we need to get the job done.
- directs our activities.