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.
There are three main passages of Pauline letters where he elaborates various spiritual gifts and endowments for the good of the Church (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11, 12). Generally, Peter recognizes the various forms of God’s gracious gifts that He gives to men (v. 10), nonetheless, he highlights two particular gifts; the gift of speaking and the gift of serving (v. 11).
Notice in verse 10 that these gifts are given to serve others (not oneself), it’s a temporary endowment from God to use it for the building of His Church. In the parable of the talents, Jesus highlights two very important aspects: (i) He entrusts them to use it and (ii) He gave the talents according to their ability (Matthew 25:14, 15). So, there is no excuse for anyone under the sun to claim that he/she does not have any endowment from above. Romans 12:3 also reiterates that God has distributed faith to each of us accordingly. In the pastoral epistle, Paul exhorts and reminds Timothy to use his gift for God’s people (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6).
If we are not using our gifts, then we are acting like the lazy, worthless and wicked stewards/servants (Matthew 25:26, 30). It is critical for the Christians to realize that when we are not using our gifts and talents for the service of others, we are insulting the Giver. It also shows our ingratitude and incapability of recognizing the worth of the gift that God has graciously given to us. In utilizing our gifts, we recognize its value and purpose for what it is meant for.
In our speech and service to others (v. 11), we are to keep in mind that we point people to God and not ourselves (Col. 3:17). Our speech should not contradict our service to people. That would be a total façade of our faith in God. The purpose, then, is to bring all praise and glory to God not just by our speech but in our deeds to others too.
Prayer: May everything that we do bring glory and honor to your holy name. May we uplift the name of Christ in all that we do. In Christ name, amen.
