Discipleship Devotional, March 21st, 2025
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
— 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
The concept of gifts and giftings in the Scriptures is one that many people do not understand. A gift is something given freely to another person. The emphasis is on the fact that it is given freely. If it is not given freely, then it is not a gift. If someone loans you a thousand dollars, it is not a gift because you are required to pay it back. If you perform work or a contract and get paid a thousand dollars, it is also not a gift because it was not given freely. But if someone sends you a thousand dollars on your birthday or any other day—as long as they gave it to you freely—then it is a gift.
This means the one thousand dollars in itself is not a gift; it is the manner in which you receive it that determines if it’s a gift. This is the same with the gifts of God. In the Scriptures, there are several things that are termed gifts from God. The very breath in our lungs is a gift from God. Salvation is called a gift. The Holy Spirit is called a gift. Even our natural talents are gifts from God.
As with any natural gift, the best way to “repay” the giver is first in gratitude and second by using the gift they gave you. We are all very happy when we see our loved ones using the gifts we bought them. We can feel sad when we don’t see them use them. This is the same with every gift God has given us. We must be grateful and show that gratitude by using the gift He has given us for His glory.
Someone may wonder why it is important to talk about this subject. Well, we must understand the concept of gifts. Gifts are not things we buy with money. Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer sternly when he tried to buy the gift of God with money. Therefore, if it is something you received freely from God, you ought to use it in serving God and His people freely.
This also applies to spiritual gifts. These are not things that we should either ignore or use to show superiority. No! We must steward them in service to others.
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for all the gifts you have freely given to me in Christ Jesus. Help me to use them to freely serve You and Your will.
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