1 Peter 4:10, 11
Peter tells us to use God’s gifts to serve others. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
By the grace of God, every Christian has abilities that can contribute to the well-being of the church. Along with ability comes responsibility to use that ability for the good of others.
God expects us to be good stewards of the gifts He has given us. Being a good steward means taking responsibility for something and making good use of it.
Because our abilities are God-given, we may not use them for our own glory. Paul told the Corinthians, who were misusing spiritual gifts, that they had no reason to be puffed up. “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
We must glorify God, not ourselves.
When we glorify God we give Him what is due because to Him “belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever” (1 Peter 4:11). As our Creator, He deserves our worship and adoration.
We owe God glory because everything we have, including our abilities and gifts, comes from Him. He is the source of all good things in our lives, and by giving Him glory, we acknowledge His greatness and express our gratitude for His blessings.
We glorify God in our speech and service.
“If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). To speak as he oracles of God, our message must be in complete agreement with the Scriptures, what we say must align with the teachings and principles found in the Bible.
When we speak as the oracles of God, we glorify God.
Jesus explained: “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him” (John 7:18).
Even Jesus did not bring His “own” doctrine but spoke the message God gave Him. “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak” (John 12:49, 50).
How dare we then be so presumptuous as to speak other than in complete agreement with the oracles of God? Those who speak otherwise, seek their own glory, not the glory of the Father.
“If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies” (1 Peter 4:11).
We can serve only because God has enabled us to serve. We must therefore give Him credit for all we do. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). We thank God for everything He enables us to do by the power of Christ. Paul says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
We speak as the oracles of God and we serve as with the ability God supplies “that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).
Herselt, Belgium