Reading: The 2020 World Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, were one of the most impressive teams in our time. They definitely were a well-rounded team, with a stacked lineup and a deep pitching staff. They scored more runs than anyone else and gave up fewer runs than anyone in the MLB.  Their roster had a wide range of skills. They had speed, power, depth on offense, and a great mix of arms on the pitching staff. All of the different skill sets on the team were used to build up the team so they could become the best team in baseball.  

In the church, God has graciously given all his children gifts, and these gifts are specifically to be used to serve others and not ourselves.  This is an amazing structure that God has setup to keep us humble and strong. Everyone has been given a gift, but that gift is not meant to puff us up. Gifts are given to us to use for the good of others. And also, God has given others gifts to be used to strengthen you too. Peter gives two examples in verse 11 that will help us see how this works. 

First, if the gift is speaking, we should speak what we have received from God and speak it to others. The gift of speaking could be a preacher’s gift to deliver a sermon. He has received a word from God for the good of those who hear. Or, the gift of speaking could be just be a word of encouragement, to a friend who is feeling down. The gift of speaking can come in different forms. 

The second example Peter gives us is the gift of serving. Serving can take on many different forms, but the key here is that none of these forms are natural. The service that is humble and for others is service that comes not from ourselves, but with the strength that only God can provide. 

There is no shortage of need of these gifts, but each of us needs to be stewards of our gifts in the way God intends. God has given every one of us gifts to be used to lift others up.  

Since the end of all things is near and the church is under attack all over the world, Christians need to pray, love, and serve one another through the gifts God has given us. Let’s not live for the temporary treasures and accolades of this world that makes much of ourselves. These things are fading away. We need to store-up eternal treasures in heaven, which makes much of God and his church, and what Peter would agree that lasts forever.

Reflection:  What specific gift has God given you? Do you use it to build yourself or other up? 

Prayer Prompt: Thank you, God, for the way you have blessed me with gifts. Help me to glorify you with them. Thank you for the gifts that you have given others, so that they bless me when I needed it. Thank you for the ultimate gift of your Son, Jesus.