For the past few weeks, we have discussed spiritual gifts. We have covered gifts from apostle to servant, prophet to speaking in tongues, helping to miracles, and many more. Each of us has at least one gift. What are we to do with our gifts?
The Holy Spirit distributes these gifts to us as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11). He distributes them to equip us for good works and to build up the church (Ephesians 4:12). And, as we see in today’s passage, he expects us to be good stewards with our gifts.
Being a good steward with our gifts is a responsibility. We must be conscious of our gifts. We need to use them conscientiously. It takes work to sharpen the talents and skills we have been gifted by the Holy Spirit with. Will we make the effort to hone our gifts and use them as the Holy Spirit designed them to be used?
Again, today’s passage says we are to use our gifts to serve others. It is especially important to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ. To build up the church, we need to share our gifts with one another. We must use our gifts to teach, preach, heal, comfort, and love one another. As we support, lift up, and strengthen one another, we build up the body of Christ.
Being a good steward requires us to take an inventory of all God has blessed us with and using those blessings wisely. Wise use of those blessings means carrying out God’s plan. To be wise, we must ask God for wisdom and God will grant it (James 1:5). Good stewardship of our gifts pleases God.
I pray we all take inventory of our gifts. I pray we use our talents and skills to build up the body of Christ. I pray each one of us choose to be good stewards of the blessings God has granted us. Know your gifts. Sharpen your skills. Hone your talents. Build up the church. Serve one another. Be a good steward.
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Marty Pressey 