Stewards of Manifold Grace
1 Peter 4:7-11
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ...he should do it with the strength God provides so that in all things God may be praised..."
(1 Peter 4:10-11)
Peter gives us a broad categorization of gifts of grace as those of speaking and those of serving. He says these are gifts of God's grace of which we are to be faithful stewards.
Paul gives more detail in Romans 12 about this manifold or many-sided grace. Speaking gifts include teaching and exhortation or encourage-ment. The serving gifts include serving, leading or administration, giving and showing mercy.
Peter's instructions are simple: "Use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace." Use your gracious gifting in all areas of life, not just in the church. What God has given you is a gift to the world.
We all have the purpose to glorify God by fully enjoying Him forever, but we also all have specific aspects of God's manifold grace to express to each other and to the unbelieving world. It is in this more precise expression that we find our unique fulfillment and give our best to the One who has in His grace and mercy given His all for us.
INSIGHT
We glorify God when we enjoy Him by joyfully using the gifts of grace He has given us all for His glory.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Isaiah 53-54
Psalm 97
Acts 20
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 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.
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