Today’s Scripture: I Peter 4:7-11
7 We are coming to the end of all things, so be serious and keep your wits about you in order to pray more forcefully. 8 Most of all, love each other steadily and unselfishly, because love makes up for many faults. 9 Show hospitality to each other without complaint. 10 Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. 11 If you’re called upon to talk, speak as though God put the words in your mouth; if you’re called upon to serve others, serve as though you had the strength of God behind you. In these ways, God may be glorified in all you do through Jesus the Anointed, to whom belongs glory and power, now and forever. Amen. (The Voice Translation)
Today’s Devotional
I love the way this particular Bible translation puts verse 10: Use whatever gift you’ve received for the good of one another so that you can show yourselves to be good stewards of God’s grace in all its varieties. I especially love the phrase “God’s grace in all its varieties.” This makes me think that God’s gifts differ from person to person.
We can see this fact when we notice the different talents and abilities that God has given us. I can barely find middle C on a piano keyboard, but my wife has an actual degree in piano. Some of you are good carpenters. Some of you can look at a spreadsheet full of numbers and completely understand what is happening. Others of you can plan and organize – or sing – or speak in public – or plan projects. You name it, we all have different abilities and talents.
The first thing we recognize is that those abilities and talents are God-given gifts. This leads immediately to the point Peter was making in this passage – use these gifts to glorify God. In other words, be good stewards of the gifts God has given you.
But this is where the hard work begins – how exactly are we to use our talents to glorify God? Sure, if we can sing or play an instrument we can help lead in worship. But what if our talent is a bit more esoteric?
I believe God will show us where and how to use our gifts – but we must first surrender them to God. We must first understand that these talents are not ours to hoard. Once we surrender our gifts to God, we then need to start asking and looking for ways that God wants us to use those gifts to glorify him.
This takes some discernment. There may be people with all kinds of ideas about how you should use your talents. But ultimately this is something between you and God. The bottom line is this: God gave them to you and God wants you to use them.
How are you going to use your talents and abilities today?
Today’s Prayer
God thank you for all the talents and abilities you have given us. Help us to surrender them to you. Show us how to use them for your glory.
Amen
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