"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

God has given each of us, by His grace, a gift—a spiritual gift. And since we have received the gift by grace, we are to use it in service to others. I’ve heard this concept compared to a waitress at a restaurant. A waitress offers food to guests, not with pride because she didn’t prepare the food. She doesn’t think of keeping the food for herself, because it wasn’t prepared for her. Her role is to enjoy the honor of carrying the food from the chef to the dinners. In the same way, our spiritual gifts are given to us by God so that we can distribute them to His people. We are God’s representatives, the picture of His grace to those around us. What a privilege!

As we disperse the spiritual gifts God has so graciously given to us, let us keep in mind the ultimate goal, found in 1 Peter 4:11, “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”

• Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
• Monday: James 1:17-18
• Tuesday: Philippians 2:7
• Wednesday: 2 Corinthians 9:8
• Thursday: Luke 22:26
• Friday: Galatians 5:13
• Saturday: Ephesians 6:6-8
• Sunday: 1 John 3:16-17