Faithful Stewards

1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)

The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves 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.


Explanation:

Recently, I’ve been having conversations with different groups of friends about a variety of subject matters (parenting, loving others well, marriage, exercising), and a common theme is to “keep at it.” While all of these things I listed are wonderful, it takes perseverance and the commitment to stay focused on goal in order to succeed. To me, this passage of scripture is such a great reminder to do this exact thing: keep at it! Keep loving others well, keep showing hospitality, keep stewarding our gifts and abilities well, keep serving others. Do all of these things for God’s glory!

Paul is telling the Romans (and us) to keep loving people well. I appreciate how he tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. That is a simple phrase, but oh so true. When we choose to love others, even when they may give us reason to be upset or frustrated, that brings glory to God.

Paul tells us to keep showing hospitality. Making time for people and showing them hospitality sometimes is outside our comfort zone, but it’s something that God calls us to do. It may mean a little gift or note to encourage someone. It may mean making time for a phone call, lunch, or having a person over to your house for a meal. These things go a long way in showing God’s love to others.

Paul tells us to use our giftings and abilities to bring God glory. Each one of us has specific abilities given from God. Sometimes those abilities are more in the spotlight, and other times they are serving behind the scenes. All abilities are significant, and we are all responsible for stewarding them well. Don’t let comparison steal your ability to be used by God. We all matter!

Let’s keep at it and work to be faithful stewards of what God has given us!


Application:

1.Think about each one of the points that Paul encourages us to do in this passage. Which one do you need to “keep at it” the most?

2.What is an action step you can take this week to work toward the area you thought of for question number 1?

3.Make a list of traits that describe the person you desire to be in life. Does it line up with the passage above? Look at that list. What areas do you need to change in order to become that person?


Devo Plus:

Read Galatians 5:22-23 where the fruit of the Spirit is listed. Choose one of them, as well as one practical way that you can live it out today.


Prayer:

God, we thank You for today’s reminder of the type of person you desire for us to be and the type of character traits you desire for us to possess. Help us to live this out in our lives. It is not always easy to be this type of person, and we need Your strength. We remember that You are with us and walking through life with us, and we are so grateful for that truth. We love you.