Stewards of Gifts

This morning in Sunday school we covered one of my favorite passages, 1 Peter 4:10.  I like that passage because it elevates both the gifts we are given by the Holy Spirit and our responsibility to steward those gifts.  (I have written about stewardship three other times this year.  It is not essential but may be helpful for you to scan those if you have not, they are, in order, here, here, and here.)

Peter tells us, echoing Paul in Romans 12:3 – 8; 1 Corinthians 12:4 – 31; and Ephesians 4:11 – 16; that the gifts we are given are not given for our benefit, no, they are given for the benefit of the Body.  We as stewards of those gifts are expected to use them to build up the Body of Christ.

We cannot make this journey alone.  We are interdependent.  Regardless of your gifting; no matter how faithful you have been in exercising it, you are in need of others in the Body to build you up in your walk with God.

That does not mean that is easy, received well by other believers, or well done.  It is hard, sometimes met with resistance, and sloppy.  Regardless, we are to engage in the sloppiness.  If we do not, not only will we displease our Lord but we will rob the Body of the gift He gave us specifically to build that Body up.

If you are rearing your kids in the Lord, it is critical that they understand this.  The best way they will is if you model it for them.  Steward your gifts.  Engage in intentionally building the Body of Christ.