“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
of the manifold grace of God
“Manifold” means various kinds, diversified. Originally it meant many-colored, variegated, and was used of spotted leopards or fawns. God gives gifts to diversify God’s many graces to the body of Christ. God’s grace shows itself in many kinds of manifestations. God also provides a great variety in the various gifts he bestows on the church. God uses multiple means by which we can serve him (Ro 12:3-8). God makes the church of God multi-faceted.
A “steward” is a manager. God gives the Christian the responsibility to manage his gift for the body of Christ. The Christian’s gift is itself a grace from God, and everything that that gift gives represents God’s grace. Since God gave us the gift, we cannot claim merit for it. No gift we possess belongs to us. It belongs to God, and we must use it in God’s interest. Every use of God’s gift must manifest God’s grace, not merit.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s gifts of grace come in all sizes and shapes.
APPLICATION:
The grace of God comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes. It takes a great variety of gifts to have a healthy, growing church. Our computer has outward functions, but below the surface are many little parts that make it work. You may be one of those small parts that there would be no effective church of God without you. That is the way God works. The church needs big parts and little parts, prominent roles, and small roles without which the church would not be the church.
Will you make yourself available to be used of God in the local church? Without you, the work of the Lord will suffer loss. We ultimately do not serve the church, but we serve the Lord.
Say to the Lord, “Lord, here I am. Harness me. Put a saddle on me, and I will do my best.” All he expects is our best, nothing more. All he wants us is to do what we can with what we have.
