Given to Give 

A steward is one entrusted to manage the property of another. 

Peter has been describing how Christians should live in response to the knowledge that the end of all things is near (1 Peter 4:7). In this verse, Peter says we must see everything we have as a gift from God. All that we have is given to us by God (James 1:17) to be used to serve others. Nothing which is ‘ours’ is to be viewed as off-limits for use in serving other believers. We are stewards of the gifts God has given us.

Every good thing we have is ours by God's grace, intended to be used for His purpose. To fail to use our gifts to serve each other, is to fail to be a good steward. Wisely using everything we have to serve each other, is part of fulfilling our purpose as God's set-apart people. We have no right to horde our gifts or to be stingy with them. Our unique gifts are like the tools in our toolbox, needed to finish the job. 

How are you using your gifts to bless others?

Lord help me be a good steward of my gifts, I pray.