One of the best personality-related books on the market has to be Discover Your God-Given Gifts by Don & Katie Fortune. This book gives insight to why we act the way we do and why God formed us to be the person we are. There is a simple formula designed by Katie Fortune to test yourself. Get your pen and paper now! As you proceed through the lists, rate yourself on each quality based on the following:

0-Never applies to me

1-Seldom applies to me

2-Sometimes applies to me

3-Usually applies to me

4-Mostly applies to me

5-Always applies to me

Avoid scoring yourself based on how you think you should be. Be honest and not ony will you receive genuine insight, but you may also become more self-accepting. Now let's get started!

PERCEIVER

1. Quickly and accurately identifies good and evil and hates evil.
2. Sees everything as either black or white; no gray or indefinite areas.
3. Easily perceives the character of individuals and groups.
4. Encourages repentance that produces good fruit.
5. Believes the acceptance of difficulties will produce positive personal brokenness.
6. Has only a few or no close friendships.
7. Views the Bible as the basis for the truth, belief, action, and authority.
8. Boldlly operates on spiritual principles.
9. Is frank, outspoken, and doesn't mince words.
10. Is very persuasive in method of speaking.
11. Grieves deeply over the sins of others.
12. Is eager to see his own blind spots (unnoticed sins) and to help others see theirs too.
13. Desires above all else to see God's plan worked out in all situations.
14. Stongly promotes the spiritual growth of groups and individuals.
15. Is called to intercession (praying for others).
16. Feels the need to verbalize or dramatize what he believes.
17. Tends to be introspective.
18. Has strong opinions and convictions.
19. Has strict personal standards.
20. Desires to be obedient to God at all costs.

SERVER

1. Easily recognizes practical needs and is quick to meet them.
2. Especially enjoys manual projects, jobs, and functions.
3. Keeps everything in meticulous order.
4. Is a detail person with a good memory.
5. Enjoys showing hospitality.
6. Will stay with something until it is completed.
7. Has a hard time saying no to requests for help.
8. Is more interested in meeting the needs of others than own needs.
9. Enjoys working on immediate goals rather than long-range goals.
10. Shows love for others in deeds and actions more than words.
11. Needs to feel appreciated.
12. Tends to do more than asked to do.
13. Feels greatest joy in doing something that is helpful.
14. Does not want to lead others or projects.
15. Has a high energy level.
16. Cannot stand to be around clutter.
17. Tends to be a perfectionist.
18. Views serving to be of primary importance in life.
19. Prefers doing a job to delegating it.
20. Supports others who are in leadership.

TEACHER

1. Presents truth in a logical, systematic way.
2. Validates truth by checking out the facts.
3. Loves to study and do research.
4. Enjoys word studies.
5. Prefers to use biblical illustrations rather than life illustrations.
6. Gets upset when Scripture is used out of context.
7. Feels concerned that the truth be established in every situation.
8. Is more objective than subjective.
9. Easily develops and uses a large vocabulary.
10. Emphasizes facts and the accuracy of words.
11. Checks out the source of knowledge of others who teach.
12. Prefers teaching believers to engaging in evangelism.
13. Feels Bible study is foundational to the operation of all the gifts.
14. Solves problems by starting with scriptural principles.
15. Is intellectually sharp.
16. Is self-disciplined.
17. Is emotionally self-controlled.
18. Has only a select circle of friends.
19. Has strong convictions and opinions based on investigation of facts.
20. Believes truth has the intrinsic power to produce change.

EXHORTER

1. Loves to encourage others to live victoriously.
2. Wants a visible response when teaching or speaking.
3. Prefers to apply truth rather than research it.
4. Prefers systems of information that have practical application.
5. Loves to prescribe precise steps of action to aid personal growth.
6. Focuses on working with people.
7. Encourages others to develop in their personal ministries.
8. Finds truth in experience and then validates it with Scripture.
9. Loves to do personal counseling.
10. Will discontinue personal counseling if no effort to change is seen.
11. Is fluent in communication.
12. Views trials as opportunities to produce personal growth.
13. Accepts people as they are without judging them.
14. Is greatly loved because of his positive attitude.
15. Prefers to witness with life rather than verbal witnessing.
16. Makes decisions easily.
17. Always completes what is started.
18. Wants to clear up problems with others quickly.
19. Expects a lot of self and others.
20. Needs a "sounding board" for bounching of ideas and thoughts.

GIVER

1. Gives freely of money, possessions, time, energy, and love.
2. Loves to give without others knowing about it.
3. Wants to feel a part of the ministries to which he contributes.
4. Intercedes (prays) for needs and salvation of souls.
5. Feels delighted when his gift is an answer to a specific prayer.
6. Wants gift to be of high quality or craftsmanship.
7. Gives only by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
8. Gives to support and bless others or to advance a ministry.
9. Views hospitality as an opportunity to give.
10. Handles finances with wisdom and frugality.
11. Quickly volunteers to help where a need is seen.
12. Seeks confirmation on the amount to give.
13. Has strong belief in tithing and in giving in addition to tithing.
14. Focuses on sharing the Gospel.
15. Believes God is the Source of his supply.
16. Is very industrious with a tendency toward success.
17. Has natural and effective business ability.
18. Likes to get the best value for the money spent.
19. Is definitely not gullible.
20. Possess both natural and God-given wisdom.

ADMINISTRATOR

1. Is highly motivated to organize that for which he's responsible.
2. Express ideas and organization in ways that communicate clearly.
3. Prefers to be under authority in order to have authority.
4. Will not take responsibility unless delegated by those in authority.
5. Will assume responsibilities if no specific leadership exists.
6. Expecially enjoys working on long-range goals and projects.
7. Is a visionary person with a broad perspective.
8. Easily facilitates resources and people to accomplish tasks or goals.
9. Enjoys delegating tasks and supervising people.
10. Will endure criticism in order to accomplish the ultimate task.
11. Has great zeal and enthusiasm for whatever he is involved in.
12. Finds greatest fulfillment and joy in working to accomplish goals.
13. Is willing to let others get the credit in order to get a job done.
14. Prefers to move on to a new challenge once something is completed.
15. Constantly writes notes to self.
16. Is a natural and capable leader.
17. Knows when to keep old methods going and when to introduce new ones.
18. Enjoys working with and being around people.
19. Wants to see things completed as quickly as possible.
20. Does not enjoy doing routine tasks.

COMPASSION PERSON

1. Has tremendous capacity to show love.
2. Always looks for good in people.
3. Senses the spiritual and emotional atmosphere of a group or individual.
4. Is attracted to people who are hurting or in distress.
5. Takes action to remove hurts and relieve distress in others.
6. Is more concerned for mental and emotional distress than physical distress.
7. Is motivated to help people have right relationships with one another.
8. Loves opportunities to give preference or place to others.
9. Takes care with words and actions to avoid hurting others.
10. Easily detects insincerity or wrong motives.
11. Is drawn to others with the gift of compassion.
12. Loves to do thoughtful things for others.
13. Is trusting and trustworthy.
14. Avoids conflicts and confrontations.
15. Doesn't like to be rushed in a job or activity.
16. Is typically cheerful and joyful.
17. Is ruled by the heart rather than the head.
18. Rejoices to see others blessed and grieves to see others hurt.
19. Is a crusader for good causes.
20. Intercedes (prays) for the hurts and problems of others.

So, who are you? If you realized you had very close scores on two or more of the areas, it means that you are equally gifted in these areas. Don't be concerned, this is normal. As a matter of fact, I am equally gifted in Exhortation and Compassion. What does all this mean? Read the following verse:

"For as in one physical body we have many parts and all of these parts do not have the same function or use. So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ, the Messiah, and individually we are parts one of another--mutually dependent on one another." -Romans 12:4-5, TAB

Each of these gifts is a different part of the body of Christ and serves a different function. The perceiever is the eye of the body and is highly gifted in the area of spiritual insight and understanding of God's will. The server is the hand. They typically are good with their hands and love to help others. The teacher is the mind of the body and is blessed with intelligence. The exhorter is the mouth of the body. These people are talkative, but, if they use their gift correctly, they can help others, often in the field of counseling. The giver is the arm of the body that gives to others in need. The administrators are the shoulders of the body that "shoulders responsibility." The compassion person is the heart of the body; this group is emotional, but is also the most loving and caring of all the groups.

Now that you have been equipped with such knowledge, don't let it go to waste! First, learn to accept those who are different from you because this is how God created them. Second, get out there and use your gifts for the glory of God!