Be good stewards
- Isaac De Guzman
- Jul 14, 2022
- 2 min read
Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 1 Peter 4:9-10 CSB
Verses 7 to 11 was aptly summarized by biblical commentator Marshall saying, “In the church where there is a lack of love and common purpose and where the spiritual lifeline of communication to God is broken, the forces of opposition will weaken and eventually destroy the church. In these verses, Peter emphasizes how crucial it is that local churches be strong in fellowship with firm links of life and loyalty between the members and also between the members and God.” So, in verse 9, Peter challenges believers to enact love, being hospitable to others without complaint. Guests can, at times, be inconvenient. As a hospitable host, there may be moments when, on the outside, you may be kind and courteous, but on the inside, harbor resentment and annoyance having to take care of your guest. Peter speaks specifically against this false sense of hospitality and love. Be genuine with your kindness without resentment nor strings attached; reciprocating the same love that Christ poured out for us on the cross. And speaking of hospitality, God has gifted believers at least “a gift” and are commanded to “use it to serve others as good stewards of the varied grace of God.” Just like Paul in his letter to the churches at Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus, Peter also speaks about these gifts. He informs his readers that each member of the Christian community has received gifts (capabilities) from God. A believer cannot create them or claim them, because he receives them from God, who grants them freely to his people. In short, these gifts belong to God and must be used in the interest of his kingdom. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.” Gifts, then, must be used for each other’s benefit within the community and in harmony with God’s purpose and design. God specifically gifted believers in order to use it to serve others within the body of Christ. So, however a believer is gifted, they should use it to further strengthen the body of Christ, so that His kingdom could be expanded here on earth. Each person in the church has received gifts to equip him for building up of the body of Christ (see Ephesians 4:12).
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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