EVERYBODY IS A MINISTER

1 Peter 4:10 (Amplified) “As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine empowerment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor]”

There is a lot of stress, today, on the idea that everyone is a minister.  This is a thoroughly biblical idea.  Everyone has some gift; no one has all gifts; so everyone must minister with the gifts they have.

The gift is a possession.  The gift is always received. It's not something you earn.  It can and should be developed, but it is received.  It is a gift and should be received like any other gift.  The gift comes at conversion.  It may be a new gift given at the time one is saved.  Or it may be the spiritual energizing of a natural gift.  Your gift is anything you have that your brothers and sisters lack.  It is anything by which one can benefit another.   It is all the gifts and graces by which one can help another

The gifts we have are given to us for a purpose.   To “minister” is to “serve”.  The word “minister” comes from the word that means “lowly service”.  The idea is that of a server in a restaurant.  To minister is to help others.  Wherever there is a need, there is an opportunity.  The good Samaritan understood what ministry was all about

We should use the gifts God has given us.  A good steward is a “responsible servant”.   He receives what he has (stewardship doesn't involve one's own things).  What he has belongs to someone else.  He is to use what he has since God has given him enough to meet all his needs.  By the way, if there are unmet needs, it may mean that someone is not functioning properly.   A good steward is to be accountable for what he has and what he does with what he has . His stewardship is of God's appointment.   The word “manifold” means plentiful, varied. That word “grace” means God's unmerited (undeserved) favor.

It is totally comprehensive. "Every man” is involved.  Since every man has the gift, every man is required to participate.  There's no way to sit this one out!   It is completely individual. It is not a matter for “the church”.  This is an individual matter – a personal matter.  This is a matter for which we will all give account to God

These gifts we are talking about are talents or abilities, great or small, entrusted to individual Christians for the good of the whole church.  Those who have them must use them to minister to the needs of others. All gifts are trusts – no Christian gets his natural gifts, talents or spiritual graces to hoard only to themselves.  They are to be used to minister to (serve) others.  What are you doing with the gifts God has given you?  How are you ministering to your brothers and sisters?  Are you allowing God to use you to bless others?  Are you allowing God to use you to make a difference in the lives of those around you?

If so, great!   I encourage you to keep it up!  If not, why not?  You're missing out on one of the greatest opportunities God gives His people. Be an encourager!

On a personal note...this blog post will most likely be my only blog post for this week.  My wife and I are moving this Friday and as you can imagine there remains much to do.  Our computers will come down on Tuesday so I will be unable to blog as I would normally do.  We very much appreciate your prayer during this time of transition in our lives.  Rest assured I'll be back in the saddle next week writing and posting new blogs.

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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