Am I using the spiritual gift(s) God has given me?  Or am I flippantly ignoring and abusing them?  Either glory or shame results.

My study this morning in Romans 12:3-8 on spiritual gifts led me to Peter’s words. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Here the Lord (through Peter) says that when I speak (e.g., teaching, encouraging a friend who is down, comforting a fellow Christian who is experiencing pain), I should do it as if I was speaking as God’s mouthpiece. How is that? Reverently, wisely, with a sacredness about it. Not flippant, sarcastic speech. Not crude talk or joking. Not carelessly. But as I were uttering words from God Himself.

When I serve, I should do it in the strength that God supplies. In other words, my service shouldn’t look like ordinary service that even a non-Christian would do in normal human strength. My service should look different in God’s power. A power displayed in a humility. Graciousness, with no strings attached, like, “I’m serving you, and I expect to be repaid.” Wholeheartedly, giving all the energy required, not reluctantly or with grumpiness.

Am I faithfully using the gifts God has given me? Am I being responsible with them? Verse 10 clearly says I am to be using them to serve my fellow believers. Am I?

Lord, show me what gifts you have given me. Then help me be a trustworthy son of yours, using your gifts in a responsible way to help your children. Help me speak with reverence. The tongue is a “restless evil, full of deadly poison,” (James 3:8), so help me to have pure, not poisonous, speech. And in my service, grant me grace to have your strength, your mighty power. The power to say “Yes” when I am tired. The strength to give when I have few resources of time or money or energy.

Today, Lord, remind me of the gifts I have been given, and empower me to use them so that “in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.” Amen.