Throughout this course, we have seen how God provides gifts that help us draw closer to him and build healthy relationships with one another. Our current ways of serving and building relationships can often leave us burnt out, left out, dropped out, and never in. But, receiving God’s gifts provides a joyful way forward.

When we receive God’s Gift of Mercy it leads us to building genuine relationships with others where we are willing to give and receive. The Gift of Dignity leads us to having relationships with all people— not just those who look like us, vote like us, or believe like us. It challenges us to see the Imago Dei (God’s image) in all and in ourselves.

And now, we’ll explore the Gift of Assets which are the gifts God gives each of us to share with others. Assets are the full range of resources that one has to offer. This includes interests, talents, strengths, hopes, money, relationships, property. As everyone receives these gifts from God, it means that everyone has something to offer.

Read Philippians 2:1-4 before watching this week’s video from Maralee Gutierez.

Everyone has something to offer.

In an asset-based approach, we look for everyone’s talents, resources, and interests. This includes the people who serve and the people who are being served. We don’t minimize or turn a blind eye to needs, but we see them as a part of a full picture. Everyone has needs and everyone has gifts to give. When we only identify the needs of someone, we fail to see who the full person God made them to be.

Think back to the last service event you participated in or a volunteer opportunity. Who was the person(s) being served through that event? Were their gifts identified and included? Were your gifts identified and included?

It’s important to note that this approach is not obligating someone who is struggling to work, but is making it clear that their help is welcome. It’s creating an environment where we all can be fully human, with needs and assets alike.

Take a few minutes to answer the following questions to identify your own gifts. (Note: Oftentimes, we falsely believe that acknowledging our gifts is a form of pride or vanity. When we do this we minimize the gifts God has given us and may be hesitant to use them. Being honest about the gifts and talents God has provided is a way to draw closer to God and create a foundation to give and receive with others.)

• What is something you know well enough to teach someone else?
• What is something you can do or make with your hands?
• What is something you are passionate about enough to act on?

Look at the list of your responses. How does it feel to use these gifts in your everyday life? How do you think serving would change if everyone was able to use their gifts? 

*Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) was developed by John McKnight and Jody Kretzmann and is continued through the ABCD Institute at DePaul University.

Reflection Questions:

1. How might an asset-based approach be different than how you currently serve others?
2. Think back to a time when someone recognized one of your assets (talent, resource, or interest). How did this feel? What did that person do (or didn’t do) that helped to honor what you have to offer?
3. How does giving and receiving from each other reflect the character of God?

Next Step | Discover the gifts of others

This week take time to ask someone else about their gifts. Use the questions below to discover the ways in which someone else is gifted. We encourage you to do this with someone you already know well, a son or daughter, friend, or co-worker. You may be surprised by what you learn.

• What is something you know well enough to teach someone else?

• What is something you can do or make with your hands?

• What is something you are passionate about enough to act on?

Pray that God will open your eyes to see the gifts of others. Pray that God would lead you to a healthy perspective of seeing everyone (including yourself) as having needs and something to offer.

Congratulations on completing the Introduction to Serving with Dignity!

We hope this course has helped you see how serving could be not just good, but life-giving. With new learning and practical skills to draw closer to God and build dignified interdependent relationships with one another.

To provide the full 8-hour workshop to your nonprofit or congregation, schedule a call with us today to learn more.