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Something Grownup Christians Understand

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Devotions for the Praying Heart
Written by Lynne Hammond   
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:10

Growing up in Christ involves more than learning how to stand on the Word and receive God’s blessing. It involves more than developing our spiritual gifts and exercising our faith to live victorious and successful lives.

Those things are good. They are part of Christian growth. But the fact is, we can do all those things and still be big, spiritual kids who think the Christian life is all about us.
All about us getting blessed … about us feeling satisfied … about us getting the opportunity to be all God created us to be.

As mature believers, we must outgrow that kind of thinking. We must realize that our lives, our blessings, and our spiritual gifts are not given to us just for our own enjoyment or fulfillment. They are given to us so that we can serve others for the glory of God. That’s why 1 Peter 4:10 says, “As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace …” (Amp).

I was shocked the first time I realized what that verse was actually saying. I’d always thought my spiritual gifts were for me. I figured God gave them to me to help me succeed in life. But Peter said they were given to me for others!

That means if I have a teaching gift, it’s not there just so I can be a great teacher. It’s there so others can learn. If I have an evangelistic gift, it’s not there just so I can conduct miracle crusades. It’s there so others can get saved. If I’m gifted at business and making money, it’s not just so that I can accumulate wealth. It’s so I can bless others and advance the kingdom of God.

Grownup Christians understand that. They realize they aren’t saved simply so they can live happy, prosperous lives. They are saved so they can give their lives away. Their purpose is to use the gifts they’ve been given and the anointing they’ve received to minister to as many people as possible so that God can bless others through them.

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:1 – 10


Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries

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