1 Peter 4:10 - Gifts

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

We’ve reached the half-way point of Peter’s 10 Commandments! To review:

1. Thou shalt be of sound judgment
2. Thou shalt be of sober spirit for the purpose of prayer
3. Thou shalt love one another deeply
4. Thou shalt be hospitable
5. And today’s: Though shalt be a good steward of God’s gifts.

Once my brother and I reached a certain age, my grandmother started giving us money instead of gifts. She realized she didn’t really know what we wanted, so she would give us some cash so we could get something we were excited about.

Often – especially when I was in college – I would put her money in the bank to pad my balance. It was helpful, but it wasn’t in keeping with the spirit of the gift. My mom eventually told me that Deedo (that is what we call my grandmother) wanted us to use the money to buy something we really wanted. She wanted her gift to be a blessing, not to be stuck in the bank.

I think in this matter, Deedo and God on are on the same page. God gives us gifts to be used, not to stick in the bank. As Paul says in Romans 12:6-8:

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Every gift that God gives is given specifically to meet a need within the body of Christ. God gives the gift of preaching because people need to be challenged by the Word of God. God gives the gift of serving because people need help. God gives the gift of giving because so many people are without. I firmly believe that God has equipped each church or body of believers with everything they need…if everyone is faithful to use their gifts.

So, what are your spiritual gifts? If you don’t know, you can probably get a spiritual gift inventory at your church or on-line. Inventories are a useful tool, but they are not gospel – the evidence of your life and testimony of those around you are more accurate. Ask your friends what gift they think you have – you might be surprised how evident your gifts are to those around you. Pray about it – God will reveal.

More importantly, get out there and serve. If you know what your gifts are, use them for God’s glory! If you don’t know what your gifts are, serve wherever there is a need and God will use you and direct you toward your gifting. And by the way, don’t use your gifts as an excuse not to serve, “I’m so sorry, my gifting is in another area, I cannot help you put up chairs.” That isn’t the nature of spiritual gifts…

In His unfathomable grace, God allows us to work alongside Him. He gives us meaningful – eternal – work to take part in. Don’t sit on the sideline – get in the game and use your gift for God’s glory!