Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,
as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
I Peter 4:10
On Sunday afternoons when I was a kid, my parents would drop off me and my two younger siblings (my youngest sister wasn’t born until later) at the Alpine Theater for a Sunday afternoon matinee. We were around 6, 7, and 9. As the oldest, I was given the money to buy tickets for my brother and sister. There was also enough for each of us to have one treat. (A candy bar or popcorn … but not both).
This is one of my earliest memories of being a steward. The money was not mine – it was given to me, entrusted to me for the benefit of others. My parents expected me to watch over my siblings, buy their ticket, and get them a treat.
Our spiritual gifts are much more significant than movie money! They are given to us not for our personal benefit (to be applauded or appreciated or promoted), but to serve others.
The gifts we receive are many and varied. (You can find lists in Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12). We all receive at least one spiritual gift and there are various ways (including tests to take) to determine your gift(s). But the thing to remember about a spiritual gift: they are not for you. They are given to you to bless others. They are given to you for the benefit of others.
Our service and stewardship is an honor – we are administering God’s grace. We have been given a sacred trust. God has given something to us, allowing us the blessing of releasing it to others.
We are conduits of His grace.
We are stewards of His grace.
What is your gift and how are you using it to bless others?
Editor’s Note: Laura originally developed our October bookmark to accompany the “Pearls of Grace” women’s retreat. If you are interested in having Laura present this teaching to your church, please reach out to us via email.
In this week’s devotional video, Mollie Duddleston (Directory of Ministry Operations and Womens Ministry at Cross Church Pinnacle Hills) walks our womens Bible study participants through I Corinthians 5, as Paul addresses a difficult issue in the church at Corinth. As he teaches them — and us, by extension — we are challenged to walk in humility, holiness, and honor. We hope you’ll find this week’s video valuable, and will embrace the truth God has for your life and circumstances here in I Corinthians 5.
