“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10
Scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:10-11
Peter tells us that each Christian has received a gift and is to use it to serve others. God does not only save us to be His beloved children, but He also equips those whom He saves to serve in some capacity in the church community. That is why Peter says each of us have been gifted by God to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
God, in His grace, desired to work in you so that you believe, and are now part of a most special and glorious community – the church community. As transformed people of the household of God, you are now called to serve one another with the gifts God gave you. The gifts you were given are to be seen as God’s gifts to the whole church community.
Peter groups these gifts into two areas: speaking to people’s spiritual needs and serving people’s physical needs. Some are able to bring God’s words to others in all kinds of ways. Others see people’s physical struggles and show a desire and ability to help. To those who serve by speaking, they are to use the Bible and not their own ideas or they will be ineffective. To those who serve in a physical capacity, they are to seek God’s guiding strength in serving others or they will be burned out. In this way, God is glorified because it all comes from Him. This is why Peter ends this section with a doxology of praise to God.
Suggestion for prayer
That as part of the household of God, we would be eager and happy to serve the body of Christ
Pastor Richard Bultje is a missionary and pastor of the River of Life church plant in Niagara Falls Ontario. It is a church plant under the oversight of the Wellandport United Reformed Church. Pastor Richard and his wife, Yukyung moved to Niagara Falls in November 2012 with their three children, Calvin, Isaiah and Gloria. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. It is also available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.
