Share, Friday, November 12, 2010

Reading: I Peter 4:9-10, 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

Have you seen the look on someone’s face when they are eating something that they are thoroughly enjoying and someone walks up, begins watching them carefully then begins licking their lips, signaling that they would really like to have some of the treat? It quite often is not a look of pleasure, feeling the necessity to “share” something that you just want to enjoy yourself. Unfortunately, we treat the special gifts that God has given to us the same way. We enjoy how it makes us look. We enjoy how it makes us feel. We enjoy the attention it may give us. In turn, we also can tend to be envious and desirous of the gifts other people have been given because of the greater attention those particular gifts are given. But, we are told to “use whatever gift [you have] received to serve others.” Quite the realization that your gifts have nothing to do with you or your enjoyment, isn’t it? Somewhat like you being handed keys to a brand new sports car and just when you begin to get excited, you are informed that the only time that you can use the car is to drive certain people around to their destinations. It really seems to put it into perspective. Your gift whether preaching, teaching, counseling, singing, playing an instrument, hospitality, ushering, or any other gifts that God has given you is not for you but to serve others. According to Webster being hospitable means, “b: promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment 2 : readily receptive.” This is what we are to be offering to each other, without grumbling over the inconvenience.

How can you be hospitable to one of your fellow brothers in Christ today?

How can you use one of the gifts that God has given you to serve someone today?

REVIEW

How were you able to be hospitable and use your gifts to serve someone today?

How did this impact your day?