Stewards of Grace
For Meditation
The whole story of the Bible is a story of a generous God. Creation itself a gift, as God says to the first man and woman: “All this I give you” (Genesis 1:29). Throughout the biblical story, God’s abundant gifts flow. Clothing to Adam and Eve to cover their shame, a son to the elderly Abraham and Sarah, bread from heaven to the wandering Israelites, land to the twelve tribes, power to David, deliverance to Esther, a promise of home to the Exiles. God’s self-giving generosity culminates in the person of Jesus, who is the gift of God incarnate to a doomed world. Jesus gives endlessly of himself to others in his life, service and miracles, and his death is the culminating offer of himself for the whole world. In his resurrection, he gives the promise of the new creation, and through his Spirit he gives the gifts to animate the resurrection community. Everything is gift, from beginning to end.
So it’s no surprise that at the heart of the Community of Jesus is gift-giving, generosity that flows out of the self-giving love of God. The church is formed by God’s generosity, and now in turn the church is called to be agents of God’s generosity for others. In coming weeks we will talk about what this means for our mission to our neighbors, city and world, but this week we are are focusing on how we are called to be agents of generosity toward one another. In this text from 1 Peter, Peter says that that “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (4:10). It is a lovely image of God’s grace given to his people and flowing out through them to one another like a prism fracturing the light of God’s grace into a multi-colored effusion of love. When we use what God has given to us for the sake of each other, whether time, talent or treasure, we are serving as agents and vehicles of God’s grace to one another.
As you prepare for worship this Sunday, consider the gifts of grace that God has given you. What have you received from God your provider? And consider how God may be calling you to use those gifts to serve God’s people.
1 Peter 4:7-11
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 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.