Spiritual Gifts: For the Good of Others and the Glory of God | Resources
Passage:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.“ 1 Peter 4:10–11
Devotional:
One of my favorite historical people to read about is Leonardo da Vinci. As a brilliant painter, sculptor, scientist and architect, he was perhaps one of the most talented people to ever live. However, most historical accounts say that da Vinci considered himself a failure and was notorious during his time for rarely bringing his ideas to fruition.
In our humanness, talent can be both a blessing and a curse. We often strive to achieve goals that we can’t reach, or maybe we do reach them but the achievements feel emptier than what we anticipated. 1 Peter 4:10–11 describes a spiritual gift, though, as something much different.
These verses distinguish a spiritual gift from a talent in three main ways: provider, power and purpose. The word “receive” in verse 10 indicates that someone is providing our gifts to us: God. While we may still work to develop them, we are ultimately the receivers instead of the achievers.
Second, we see God’s power, not just our own, working in our spiritual gifts. When we feel we don’t have the words or the strength/ability to address the task before us, God supplies those things to us so that we have confidence and perseverance, not in ourselves but in Him.
Finally, our purpose with our spiritual gifts is not just to achieve things for ourselves – skills, reputation, wealth – even if we may be able to utilize those things for the benefit of others. Instead, the purpose is to glorify God through Jesus Christ. In this, we achieve something we most certainly could not on our own – a position as God’s helper in manifesting the eternal plan for His kingdom.
Today, take some time to pray over the gifts God has given you and seek His direction in how they can be used to glorify Him in your church, family, neighborhood, workplace and all avenues of your life.
by Ryan Willhite
Scripture Reading:
Sunday: 1 Sam. 13; Rom. 11; Jer. 50; Ps. 28-29
Monday: 1 Sam. 14; Rom. 12; Jer. 51; Ps. 30
Tuesday: 1 Sam. 15; Rom. 13; Jer. 52; Ps. 31
Wednesday: 1 Sam. 16; Rom. 14; Lam. 1; Ps. 32
Thursday: 1 Sam. 17; Rom. 15; Lam. 2; Ps. 33
Friday: 1 Sam. 18; Rom. 16; Lam. 3; Ps. 34
Saturday: 1 Sam. 19; 1 Cor. 1; Lam. 4; Ps. 35
Memory Verse:
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10
Discussion Questions:
What in our text this week stands out as interesting, confusing, or challenging?
What gifts do you believe you have received? When have you seen this demonstrated in your life?
Are you using the gifts God has given you? How are you being a good steward of God’s grace? If you haven’t been, what needs to change?
How have you seen God supply you the strength you need recently?
How has the Lord been glorified recently through the use of His gifts in your life?
In light of what we have studied this week, how should you respond in obedience?