The Scriptures are pretty clear that, as children of God, we have all received a measure of gifting from Christ deployed through the Spirit. But I also think that it’s pretty clear that it is way too easy to start thinking of those abilities as are OUR abilities . . . to view these talents as OUR possession . . . under OUR control . . . used as best suits OUR desires, determinations, and daytimers. But, this morning, Peter sheds a different perspective on the subject of our gifting . . .

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace . . .   (1Peter 4:10 ESV)

What if my talents aren’t really MY talents but they are, in fact and in reality, a gift or charisma from God? What if these abilities I have that the church seems to find a place for aren’t MY abilities but, in fact and in reality, an “un-merited favor” of God? What if they aren’t mine to schedule in as I see fit . . . and aren’t mine to enact only if I feel like it . . . and aren’t mine to deploy only when I think they are being adequately recognized by others . . . but, instead, these capabilities are, in fact and in reality, something God expects me to steward.

Steward is not a word we use a lot today. But it has the idea of a house manager . . . someone who has been given the responsibility by the owner of the house to manage the affairs of the house. It’s not their house . . . but they have run of it . . . and have been called to superintend it . . . in a manner consistent with how the owner would run his house. So Peter’s reminding these believers that they have received a gift . . . an enabling . . . a talent . . . a capability. It’s not theirs . . . it’s the Master’s . . . and He has given them control over that gifting . . . asking that it be managed, or stewarded, in a manner consistent with how He would administer the gifting.

We are to be good stewards of the varied grace . . . of the manifold charis . . . of the mosaic of diversely colored enablings . . . which are determined and empowered by God . . . and apportioned by the Spirit . . . and are given for the common good (1Cor. 12:4-11). I know it almost goes without saying, but we are reminded that we don’t all have the same gifting or enabling. But what we do have in common is that we are all to be good stewards of the piece of varied grace that God has entrusted to us. And, I’m thinking that we are all going to give an account of what we did with that which we received (Matthew 25:14-30).

Ok . . . so maybe the question arises, “Well how do I know what enabling of this varied grace I’ve been given to steward?” Big question . . . not adequately dealt with by a short answer. But let me run this by you . . .

If faithfully managing the gift I’ve been given is manifested by “serving one another”, then maybe I start there . . . by asking the question, “What can I do to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ?” If the ability to preach or teach isn’t yours . . . then probably not your gifting . . . if you can’t play guitar or sing, then maybe that’s not what you are to steward . . . but if you come up with something that you can do to “serve one another”, then go with it . . . consider that your trust to faithfully administer . . . count that as something that’s not YOURS but HIS . . . which He has graced you with the ability to enact . . . and which you can view as a holy stewardship.

I guess for me the question is less about WHAT IS IT? . . . and more about HOW DO I VIEW IT?

That which I can do . . . is it my ability or is it His varied grace? And if it really is His varied grace, then is the deciding factor in deployment how it fits into my schedule or how He wants me to steward it? Is it mine do with as I wish or His to steward . . .

. . .by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
          To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.   
                                                                                         (1Peter 4:11b ESV)