As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
One year at Christmas, my loved one got me a special gift. I was filled with excitement, wondering what it could be. It was a good-sized box and I had all these thoughts about the gift that was inside. As I anxiously unwrapped it, I was quickly disappointed. Clearly, the gift giver was thinking about themselves. The gift was given to me, but really for them. (insert side eye here). But seriously, have you ever received a “gift” but it was for other people? This is what Peter is describing in 1 Peter 4.
Peter teaches us an important principle about kingdom gift-giving. Each believer has God given gifts. The thing is that those gifts were given for the glory of God. They’re supposed to be for the encouragement of believers, serving one another, and displaying God’s power through our earthly bodies.
Yet so often, spiritual gifts are utilized for personal benefit. We fail to display the grace that God has placed on our lives. We refuse to be used as vessels to pour God’s spiritual gifts out into the world. The Bible is clear, we’re called to be good stewards of our gifts. We’re charged to serve for the glory of our Heavenly Father.
So my question for you is which type of gift giving will you be participating in this holiday season? Can I challenge you to be a kingdom giver? If you are blessed to serve, then serve well. If you are gifted to teach, then teach well. If you’re called to be a mother or father, then parent well. Whatever you do, do it with excellence and do it for the glory of God.
