In 1 Peter 4:10 we read, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” God has given gifts to each of us from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through us. How does God’s generosity flow out through you and me? No one is more generous than God. He’s the greatest giver of all time. And here the Bible says there’s a way to have His generosity flowing through us! That’s absolutely incredible and exciting! The great Creator and Saviour of the universe offers to channel His charitableness through us! We have an opportunity for God to do His work through our lives!
So, what are the conditions for all this happening? We read in the bible that we need to manage our spiritual gifts well. 1 Corinthians 12:7 “The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all.” Look at the amazing ways generous acts have been seen during this time of lockdown – generosity of money, time, gifts and many more ways. If we yield ourselves to God, and recognize His generosity to us, imagine how much of a blessing potential we could be. Yielding ourselves to God is a personal decision, and it’s not something God makes us do. Isaiah put it this way when he yielded himself to God’s generosity flowing through him. He said to God, “Here am I, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8) God said that He was looking for someone to do His work and Isaiah said, “I’ll do it.” Romans 12:1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?
In 1 Peter 4:11 we read,” If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” It is therefore crucial that we operate in the strength which God supplies. Our strength is limited but God’s might is never ending! God’s generosity must be shared in His person and power. In order to have His power we must walk His path! He is the path. It is knowing Him, loving Him, worshipping Him, praising Him, listening to Him, walking with Him, being filled with His Spirit, that enables His generosity to flow through us!
If we look at the end of v.11, if we desire God’s generosity to flow through us, then it is crucial that we do that so God’s name is glorified! As 1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us,” So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Let each of us dare to be generous with who we are and what God has generously in His love enabled us to be and gifted us with. We may not be able to change the whole world, but we can definitely change the world for one person! How will we respond to the generosity God shows us daily?
Hilary
Assistant Chaplain at The Living Well