God has given each one of us gifts – things that we are especially good at, or things that ‘come naturally’ to us. These gifts that our wonderful, loving God has graced us with are not meant to sit on a shelf and collect dust – they are meant to be shared, and used to glorify the Giver!
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10)
Peter is saying here that whatever gift we have received from God, was given to us for a specific purpose. If you are a naturally prayerful person, you should pray for others; if you are very hospitable, you should use that gift to make others feel welcome and at ease; if you are especially good at understanding and telling others about the Word of God, you should use that to spread His Word. Whatever gifts we have, they are meant to be used to God’s Glory.
If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11)
And I say “Amen”, as well! To Him – to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – be the glory… this is what it all boils down to, is it not?
- Our purpose is to glorify God
- God has gifted each of us in some way
- We use that gift to glorify God
- In doing so, we fulfill our purpose, as well as His!
Not only is it the very reason we exist, but it’s the ONLY WAY we can find true joy and contentment. We should feel as Paul does…. He received the gift of preaching – and here is what he says about it:
For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16)
Yes, it is a gift; and a great gift indeed. But what option do we have but to make the most of our gifts? If you are gifted to be a prayer warrior, and are not exercising your gift, you will never find satisfaction in this life.
Feel like something is missing? Feel like there should be more? Find out what gifts you have, and use them! If you don’t know what your gifts are, you should find a couple of godly and trustworthy friends – they very likely already know what it is…
It is often easier to see it in someone else than in ourselves. But know this - everyone in God’s economy has at least one gift – EVERYONE.