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Discover Your God Given Gifts
This book will enable every believer to discover his gifts so that he can better serve God among the body of believers where he is involved.
435 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 1987
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306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 11, 2010
This is the best analysis of Biblical spiritual gifts I've ever read.
February 8, 2019
My sister gave a stack of books to me to trade at my local used bookstore, and this was one of them. Curious, I decided to give it a shot, if only to help me examine myself and perhaps unearth an occupation (read: paying job) that would make me happier than what I've done before.
However, I tend to take these types of books with a grain of salt - no "personality test" or zodiac sign type categorization is 100% accurate for everyone, just accurate enough that those predisposed to be defined by what others tell them they are, will say "oh my gosh, that applies to me!"
What I found was a sort of Meyers-Briggs scale measurement of the specific motivational gifts mentioned in two passages in the Bible. The authors were very specific about what gifts they were writing about and helping people identify, and they were very careful to say that not all 20 characteristics included in each of the 7 gifts would apply to everyone who might have that gift. Their attitude is that everyone has each gift in some capacity (they used a scale of 0 to 100), but there is a primary, and likely a secondary, gift wherein people truly excel and enjoy being.
I'll admit, reading this book was a bit of a homework assignment, because, being me and wanting to make sure I represent the truth about myself in these sorts of "quizzes," I did not follow their instructions to "go with my gut" as I read the description of each characteristic - I had to evaluate my life and see if I truly did do such at thing Always, or even Mostly, or if I truly Never did it, or Seldom did it. As a result, lots of things ended up in Sometimes or Usually.
However, I did find that I leaned more toward some gifts than others on their spectrum. It definitely explained some things about my personality, but, funny enough, more about what irritates me than what drives me. Example: those with the Server gift cannot stand clutter, but those with the Compassion gift are (apparently) disorganized. I scored 70 in Compassion and 62 in Server, which kinda explains why my brain is a hyperactive mess, but I want my house tidy and clean and orderly, and I use my Calendar app on my phone to track tasks and appointments because otherwise I'll forget. This also explains why it pisses me off when my disorganized husband doesn't put his clothes in his hamper, when he thinks it's perfectly fine to leave them on the floor in whichever room he took them off. It's like the physical mess in the house adds to the mental clutter in my thoughts, and I feel overwhelmed.
Thus, this book has helped explain some things about me, and some pitfalls I face based on those gifts in which I am strongest. It also prodded me to realize I need to show some mercy to my not-organized husband: I have been attributing to him a spirit of laziness, when in fact, it could be physical clutter doesn't bother him because his thoughts are organized and tidy.
My results concerning my secondary gift were actually muddled, probably because of my insistence that I properly represent myself. I scored 65 in Teacher, 62 in Server, and 58 in Exhorter. For now, I take this to mean that my Compassion gift is modified by my orderliness, my tidiness, my love for learning and sharing knowledge, my tendency to want to work with my hands (physically write rather than type, or make cards, or stitch geeky patches on my sweatshirt), and my gregariousness.
I'm keeping this book for a while, probably a few months or so, to let all this information gestate and, with an awareness of these characteristics, I may find that if I take the test again, my secondary and tertiary gifts will be more distinct.
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However, I tend to take these types of books with a grain of salt - no "personality test" or zodiac sign type categorization is 100% accurate for everyone, just accurate enough that those predisposed to be defined by what others tell them they are, will say "oh my gosh, that applies to me!"
What I found was a sort of Meyers-Briggs scale measurement of the specific motivational gifts mentioned in two passages in the Bible. The authors were very specific about what gifts they were writing about and helping people identify, and they were very careful to say that not all 20 characteristics included in each of the 7 gifts would apply to everyone who might have that gift. Their attitude is that everyone has each gift in some capacity (they used a scale of 0 to 100), but there is a primary, and likely a secondary, gift wherein people truly excel and enjoy being.
I'll admit, reading this book was a bit of a homework assignment, because, being me and wanting to make sure I represent the truth about myself in these sorts of "quizzes," I did not follow their instructions to "go with my gut" as I read the description of each characteristic - I had to evaluate my life and see if I truly did do such at thing Always, or even Mostly, or if I truly Never did it, or Seldom did it. As a result, lots of things ended up in Sometimes or Usually.
However, I did find that I leaned more toward some gifts than others on their spectrum. It definitely explained some things about my personality, but, funny enough, more about what irritates me than what drives me. Example: those with the Server gift cannot stand clutter, but those with the Compassion gift are (apparently) disorganized. I scored 70 in Compassion and 62 in Server, which kinda explains why my brain is a hyperactive mess, but I want my house tidy and clean and orderly, and I use my Calendar app on my phone to track tasks and appointments because otherwise I'll forget. This also explains why it pisses me off when my disorganized husband doesn't put his clothes in his hamper, when he thinks it's perfectly fine to leave them on the floor in whichever room he took them off. It's like the physical mess in the house adds to the mental clutter in my thoughts, and I feel overwhelmed.
Thus, this book has helped explain some things about me, and some pitfalls I face based on those gifts in which I am strongest. It also prodded me to realize I need to show some mercy to my not-organized husband: I have been attributing to him a spirit of laziness, when in fact, it could be physical clutter doesn't bother him because his thoughts are organized and tidy.
My results concerning my secondary gift were actually muddled, probably because of my insistence that I properly represent myself. I scored 65 in Teacher, 62 in Server, and 58 in Exhorter. For now, I take this to mean that my Compassion gift is modified by my orderliness, my tidiness, my love for learning and sharing knowledge, my tendency to want to work with my hands (physically write rather than type, or make cards, or stitch geeky patches on my sweatshirt), and my gregariousness.
I'm keeping this book for a while, probably a few months or so, to let all this information gestate and, with an awareness of these characteristics, I may find that if I take the test again, my secondary and tertiary gifts will be more distinct.
Support your local library!
November 13, 2023
Super eye-opening. So excited to keep learning.
January 15, 2026
My mother went through this book when I was a young teen, and so I absorbed much of it via osmosis. I only read it for myself recently. It reminded me very much of a Meyers-Briggs personality test that has been tailored to fit a biblical framework rather than a Jungian philosophy.
While I'm far more a theologian than a psychologist, there were a number of issues I had immediately with this book that didn't scream "danger" but left me with a bad taste that never truly abated over the course of the book. While the author begins with Romans 12 and proceeds to support the notion that the entire gifts classification/determination is exegeted from the text (with specific warnings of the dangers of eisegetical interpretation), I found the references to anything biblical very scant and tagged on rather than foundationally justified.
It's always a big red flag for me when an author jumps around to various translations saying the one they chose for that specific quote "really says it well", and then later jumps into Greek for some extremely surface level word study. It gives all the imprimatur of someone who wishes to appear studied, but comes off more like the kid using a thesaurus to make his report sound more intellectually significant.
Under the entire lesson was a rather charismatic smattering of continual revelation where at any point there was confusion, you just needed to "ask God, and he'll let you know" sort of mentality. He literally says in places that once you have your general understanding from his program, then you can go to God for specifics regarding which clubs to join, what additional insights to add to his teaching, and God will just tell you.
Now the whole concept of continual verbal revelation notwithstanding. I have an issue where we need Don to discover our God-given gifts, when we could have just asked God. It seemed like a really big hole in the system that was never addressed.
Probably the biggest issue I found was that the entire system feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy. You identify things you're good at, and then you see which of the lists in scripture best match your preferences. Then he tells you what you like, what you don't like, where you'll struggle and why. None of this is biblical in any way, and certainly eisegetical, and wholly psychological rather than theological, but anyone reading this critique would simply classify me as a teacher/perceiver who has the tendency to believe they are right, and sees black-and-white which only affirms the system.
(Now if I were to take the other side and say this was the silver bullet to my spiritual needs, I would simply fall into an Exhorter who sees truth and encourages everyone to work together toward that goal.
I don't see this sort of teaching anywhere in the Bible. While you might identify certain personality traits within the characters of the Bible, it nowhere teaches how to identify such traits and what that means for you apart from the exhortation to serve with your strengths. This doesn't mean that Fortune is entirely wrong, or heretical in any regard, but rather it is simply someone using a sword of truth to cut hair... I mean, it might work, but that's not what it was intended to do.
So in such a light, as with some other Christian psychologists, psychoanalysts, the system seems to be built backwards looking like Steve Buscemi with a skateboard saying, "How do you do fellow kids", as opposed to veritable exegetical teaching from the text.
While I'm far more a theologian than a psychologist, there were a number of issues I had immediately with this book that didn't scream "danger" but left me with a bad taste that never truly abated over the course of the book. While the author begins with Romans 12 and proceeds to support the notion that the entire gifts classification/determination is exegeted from the text (with specific warnings of the dangers of eisegetical interpretation), I found the references to anything biblical very scant and tagged on rather than foundationally justified.
It's always a big red flag for me when an author jumps around to various translations saying the one they chose for that specific quote "really says it well", and then later jumps into Greek for some extremely surface level word study. It gives all the imprimatur of someone who wishes to appear studied, but comes off more like the kid using a thesaurus to make his report sound more intellectually significant.
Under the entire lesson was a rather charismatic smattering of continual revelation where at any point there was confusion, you just needed to "ask God, and he'll let you know" sort of mentality. He literally says in places that once you have your general understanding from his program, then you can go to God for specifics regarding which clubs to join, what additional insights to add to his teaching, and God will just tell you.
Now the whole concept of continual verbal revelation notwithstanding. I have an issue where we need Don to discover our God-given gifts, when we could have just asked God. It seemed like a really big hole in the system that was never addressed.
Probably the biggest issue I found was that the entire system feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy. You identify things you're good at, and then you see which of the lists in scripture best match your preferences. Then he tells you what you like, what you don't like, where you'll struggle and why. None of this is biblical in any way, and certainly eisegetical, and wholly psychological rather than theological, but anyone reading this critique would simply classify me as a teacher/perceiver who has the tendency to believe they are right, and sees black-and-white which only affirms the system.
(Now if I were to take the other side and say this was the silver bullet to my spiritual needs, I would simply fall into an Exhorter who sees truth and encourages everyone to work together toward that goal.
I don't see this sort of teaching anywhere in the Bible. While you might identify certain personality traits within the characters of the Bible, it nowhere teaches how to identify such traits and what that means for you apart from the exhortation to serve with your strengths. This doesn't mean that Fortune is entirely wrong, or heretical in any regard, but rather it is simply someone using a sword of truth to cut hair... I mean, it might work, but that's not what it was intended to do.
So in such a light, as with some other Christian psychologists, psychoanalysts, the system seems to be built backwards looking like Steve Buscemi with a skateboard saying, "How do you do fellow kids", as opposed to veritable exegetical teaching from the text.
Read
August 26, 2019This is the "Bible" of gifts teaching. I have read and re-read it many times over the last two or three decades, and it is the first book I recommend for anyone who needs to understand who God designed them to be. It's thorough. It's complete, and of all the quick and free spiritual gifts assessments out there, this book has stood the test of time and doctrine. Reading it requires an investment of time and thought and prayer, but what you learn as a result goes so far beyond all of the other "tests" out there. It's a must-have. You will want your own copy, and you won't want to lend it out. You will need to refer back to it over and over as you grow.
August 24, 2025
Our family therapist suggested my husband and I read this book and take the assessment. I felt so understood by the descriptions in this book and to my surprise the personality or gift that so many had told me I have was the worst score I had. I also was not using my gifts which may have been contributing to a lot of frustration I was having with my spouse and others. We’re using these assessments to better understand how we both approach life, our relationship’s and how to use it to strengthen our marriage. It’s been a great tool for us to use. Highly recommend it!
February 27, 2024
In the 1990s, I read through this book/guide with Christian colleagues. Thirty years later I completed the survey again (bought a new book), and my results were essentially the same!
After teaching for 18 years, I was surprised to discover it was not in my top 3 giftings.
I really appreciated this book. It takes awhile to work through, but worth the effort. It might be good for married couples, a long-term study group, families, or on your own. Very insightful.
After teaching for 18 years, I was surprised to discover it was not in my top 3 giftings.
I really appreciated this book. It takes awhile to work through, but worth the effort. It might be good for married couples, a long-term study group, families, or on your own. Very insightful.
July 22, 2024
Amazing & eye-opening. I am a Perceiver, secondary Teacher, & Exhorter-Administrator third. This kind of revealed to me why I am the way that I am, giving me a chance to praise God for it. This book was actually such a blessing because it reassured me on my plans for my future after high school (psychiatry). My friend who lent it to me was much more of a blessing through this than she may ever know. I highly recommend it to all of you. I hope to own it and reread it someday.
November 27, 2017
This book is a helpful survey of spiritual gifts, covering biblical foundations, tools for discovering your own and advantages/disadvantages of each. It is helpful in learning more about your own spiritual gifts and also helpful to create awareness of the gifts of other people around you so you can be more perceptive in how others approach different situations.
June 29, 2023
Received a lot of wonderful insight from reading this book! I found that my motivational gifts are Teacher and Perciever. I would like to see a more updated version, but it is really jam packed with information and answers to the struggles I've had throughout my life. Highly recommend for anyone struggling to find their purpose as a Christian.
March 11, 2022
Insightful on combining my personality traits to some gifts. I scored high in compassion, giving, and perception, book emphasized a gift on intercessory prayer based on these. I disagree but based on explanation it made sense why it would be so
February 5, 2023
Book mispresentation
The Kindle book I received in 1987 but this was not the book that I purchased. The book a purchased was supposed to have but revised and expanded edition. I could buy this version of the book for $5.00.
The Kindle book I received in 1987 but this was not the book that I purchased. The book a purchased was supposed to have but revised and expanded edition. I could buy this version of the book for $5.00.
February 20, 2019
Very informative and enlightening
August 25, 2021
This has been one of my favorite studies!
March 14, 2022
Learn about your biblical gifts and how to use them at church and with family.
January 3, 2023
Fantastic Book! I used it to help teach in our church's home group. I would highly recommend this.
February 17, 2024
Wonderful book about the motivational gifts
August 30, 2025
Wow. Just wow. Very informative. Definitely will be re-reading this one.
September 28, 2025
J'ai dévoré ce livre en moins de 24h. Il était vraiment simple, accessible et cela m'a donné une nouvelle appréciation des dons que le Seigneur m'a doté
April 22, 2015
This is a very readable book and system for understanding and identifying what the authors call Motivational Gifts.The gifts discussed are those listed in Romans 12. Not a heavy theological thesis but rather a presentation of the 7 gifts listed and how to personally determine which of these gifts are primary in your life. Offers Characteristics then Weaknesses and finally Biblical examples (as intrepreted by the authors) of each of the 7. The characteristics and weaknesses are full of examples of individuals who exhibit the particular characteristic. The authors bring their personal experience and observation over the years into an enjoyable presentation. Again, not a heavy study in theology. Does offer valuable insight into how we are unique and different in our personal giftedness. Well worth your time.
April 28, 2017
I've actually participated in several opportunities to discover my spiritual gifts. However, this book goes very in depth to explain what each gift is and what it looks like in the life of the believer. What I love about this book is that it doesn't just focus on what makes each gift so special and how you can apply it to your life, it also reveals the pitfalls that can exist for the person who possesses the gift so that they can eliminate or minimize the things that could become a problem as you cultivate those gifts. It also helps to show examples of people throughout the bible who possessed specific gifts and how they applied those gifts in their lives.
I believe that this book is very appropriate as a resource for small groups, pastors, leaders, and even everyday Christians who want to know what spiritual gifts they possess and how it can work in their lives.
I believe that this book is very appropriate as a resource for small groups, pastors, leaders, and even everyday Christians who want to know what spiritual gifts they possess and how it can work in their lives.
January 25, 2008
A very helpful book examining the 'motivational' gifts, as mentioned in the book of Romans. The authors take personality traits and assign different types of people to each of the gifts mentioned.
The theories are a bit complicated, but become clearer after the second or third reading, and some reflection. It ties in a little with other personality systems such as Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram (though not entirely). There are helpful questionnaires and some Scripture references to back up the authors' theories.
The theories are a bit complicated, but become clearer after the second or third reading, and some reflection. It ties in a little with other personality systems such as Myers-Briggs or the Enneagram (though not entirely). There are helpful questionnaires and some Scripture references to back up the authors' theories.
July 6, 2015
A helpful paradigm for self-awareness and considering spiritual gifts. Although some of the initial description justifying the three categories of gifts--of which one, the motivation gifts, are the emphasis of this book--seems a bit stretched, the overall notion is a helpful one, and there are lots of practical questionnaires and charts at the back of the book to help bring this spiritual material into the world of work, ministry, and relationship.
Approachable and useful.
Approachable and useful.
Read
November 7, 2007This book was very helpful to me in understanding my Motivational Gifting, but it doesn't go much into manifestional gifting. Which is understandable to a certian degree. It does a great job in helping me see why my gifting is dysfunctional to a certian degree. It will help me better utilize and see it. I recommend the book. It is a bit dated, but still very practical.
June 5, 2014
This is a Christian personality test. Nothing wrong with that in itself. But Adopting a label for oneself is dangerous, fhe label can be used for both empowerment and excuse. The book is inflated with anecdote after anecdote, mostly self-congratulatory. This book is an example of a scheme in search of theology. Disappointing.
July 30, 2008
This is the best reference on this topic. It helped me to figure out my own gifts as well as my husband's, which helped me understand him better.
April 6, 2017
This is a good manual to review the motivational gifts of Romans 12:6-8 - Perceiver, Server, Teacher, Exhorter, Giver, Administrator, and Compassion. In a very methodical way, the Fortunes guide the reader into discovering what gifts apply to them and how to practically use those gifts form the Holy Spirit.
August 4, 2017
life changing, a revelation, wonderfull, my favourite book
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews