Most people discover early on in their adult life what they are talented. Some are good with numbers, and others are good with people. Your career typically tends to fall into the area of your talents. When you start to follow Jesus, you are given a gift. It is a special talent or ability with the specific purpose of serving the church. Peter encourages you to employ your gift as an act of obedience.
1 Peter 4:10
“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
For the Good of Others
Peter has a huge heart for the church to work efficiently. He understands how easy it is to get off track and distracted. If each person employed their gift, the church would flourish and thrive. It’s when we withhold or use it in other areas where the church struggles. The key is to use the gift to serve others and give God the glory. When this happens, you will find an incredible sense of purpose and joy.
Right Motivation
There are challenges that come with employing your gifts. Something deep inside you desires attention and appreciation, and when those don’t come, it is easy to let your feelings get hurt. That is why it is vital to use your gift to serve one another. This is what constitutes good stewardship. If you use your gift for attention, you will make decisions that will bring that about. When you see your gift as something to bless others, you will know your intentions are right.
Employ Your Gift
A good steward is someone who takes what is given to them and uses it correctly. A steward is a manager of something that they didn’t make. Your gift is something given to you by God. It comes with an instruction manual (the Bible), and you have to use it to benefit the church. The goal is to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Employ your gift to glorify God and serve others, and it is almost guaranteed you will hear them.