Nov 16

Gifts to Serve Others

“Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others.” 

1 Peter 4:10

Once we have turned to Christ and decided to follow him, we are given a ministry. Have you considered what your ministry is? God has given each of His children a gift to use to serve others. The question then becomes, are we aware of that gift and if we are, are we using it to benefit others? These gifts we have been given are to be used for him, to further his kingdom and to bring God glory and honor. We normally think of a gift as something we receive and then use for ourselves. God’s gifts are unique in that they are not to be kept for our use alone; they are ours to be used for others. They are not something for us to bring out and admire and then put away for another day. They are to be used, much like the talents in the parable Jesus told to his disciples. They are not to be buried, they are to be put to use so that they will bring God a profit. Are you using your gifts to serve others and to bring God the fruits of your labors? If you are a good steward you are. It is only by visibly using our gifts that we are able to show others what God has produced in our lives, to allow others to see the grace that God has so freely given to us. Jesus was our example. He freely gave what he had to others and we are to follow in the footsteps of our dear Master. Let us thank God for the gift He has given us and let us use it to serve others and ultimately to bring Him the profit.

Father, thank You for Your grace and for the gift You have given to me. Show me what You have so freely given me that I might be able to use those gifts to bring others to Christ. Help me to minister to all those with whom I come in contact and may the glory rise to You. Amen