1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 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.”
Peter reminded the believers that God has given each Christian at least one spiritual gift that needs to be utilized for God’s glory in serving others and ends verse 11 with a doxology. Did you ever think that in your spiritual gift(s), you are to be the manager of what God has graciously given you? You are the administrator in being a steward of those free and gracious spiritual gifts you have received. You have a competitive advantage. Therefore, use the talents and skills He has chosen to provide you with to glorify God in all that you do and say in accomplishing His will. Your spiritual gift(s) need to be developed and used as a steward of God’s grace that He has equipped you to do. He will bless those efforts and is able to multiply those benefits. You have the advantage of developing those skills in the power of the Holy Spirit to serve others. Peter lists two of the spiritual gifts here, which are speaking and serving gifts.
The spiritual gifts that are used for the glory of God in the church and applied in your workplace business as you influence others are (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians12:8-11; Ephesians 4:11):
- Discernment – Sound judgment for perceiving the difference between right and wrong and truth and error based on the truth of God’s Word (oracles of God).
- Faith – Examples pf people given the spirit of faith are given to us in Hebrews 11. Simple confidence in God in all you say and do.
- Knowledge – Deep understanding of God’s purpose and will from seeking it from God’s very words (oracles of God).
- Prophecy – Discern problems and apply appropriate oracles of God – Biblical principles to help alleviate the problems. Applying Biblical truth to a specific situation.
- Teaching – Being a diligent student of the Scripture, communicating Biblical principles learned from the oracles of God and relating them to the appropriate needs.
- Administration – Establishing goals and objectives, developing policies, programs, procedures, and budgeting required.
- Evangelism
- Leadership
- Shepherding – Compassionately providing spiritual guidance. Able to give verbal encouragement while focusing on God’s provision, protection, and presence, while influencing others from the calling on your own life from God.
- Wisdom – Using the knowledge from God to better understand a given situation.
- Missions
- Exhortation – Motivating others to live into their calling from God based on their faith in Him. Cautioning against potentially dangerous or harmful actions not representing their position in Christ.
- Hospitality
- Mercy – Recognizing those that are emotionally discouraged and stressed and helping to meet those needs with “words of gold” based on learned oracles of God applied to their needs.
“As we serve one another, we do it with the strength God provides, the ability which God supplies – so that to Him belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” David Guzik, Blue Letter Bible Commentary. That is the ultimate objective, seeking God’s glory in everything that we do because of the hope within us of His ultimate return. We know who wins in the end in this world amidst the spiritual battles surrounding us. Until then, develop your spiritual gift(s) God has graciously given you in serving one another, living as strangers in this world that is not our home. Give it your all as you walk in your position in Christ and in your integrity.
What is the Holy Spirit leading you to do today in using your advantage, your spiritual gift(s) for His glory?
Listen to Hope Darst – Never Walk Alone (Official Lyric Video).