April 26, 2013

Gifts for Glory

1 Peter 4:10-11

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

—  1 Peter 4:10

Our family loves to attend concerts, plays, and sporting events. It’s thrilling to see the performance of skilled professionals. Sometimes we might be jealous, wishing, “If only I had their athleticism, or musical gifts, or intellectual strength, or charming people skills … then I would be complete!” It can be easier to see someone else’s talents than to see our own.

But instead of longing for the gifts God has given someone else, we need to see that God wants us to use the gifts he has given us. He made us, forgave us, and adopted us. And now he both gifts and calls us to glorify him.

God has given you something, and he calls you to use it for his kingdom! A pastor friend of ours is fond of saying that none of us feels adequate for the jobs before us, but maybe we should step up and fill in until the perfect person comes along. Along the way, we may discover gifts and talents that we never knew we had!

God has gifted us to serve others and to care for one another. God doesn’t want his gifts hoarded or ignored; he wants us to channel our talents into serving others in his name.

How can you use your time, talents, and treasures to bless others? Thank the Giver of your gifts by using your gifts to serve him each day!

Lord, thank you for the ways you have gifted each one of us. Grant us opportunities to use our gifts to bless others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

About the author — Steven and Deb Koster

Steven and Deb Koster have a passion for marriages, families, and spiritual growth in the home. Both are ordained ministers in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Steven formerly served as editor of Today and director of ReFrame's English-language outreach. Deb leads Family Fire, ReFrame’s family ministry at FamilyFire.com and on Facebook. The Kosters have three children.

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