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Read:1 Peter 4:8-11
Listen: 1 Peter 4

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

The early church gladly shares their time, resources and talents because they are thankful to God. They understand their possessions are not their own but come from God (Acts 4:32). Peter reinforces the apostles’ core teaching that everything they have belongs to God and is a gift from him. The first believers live with a stewardship mindset, managing what ultimately belongs to God. The result is “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:34). They recognize every gift they have is to be used for God’s purposes and to serve others.

We, too, are managers of God’s gifts to us. To grow in generosity and service to others, a manager’s mindset is crucial. God is the owner of all that we have. Our role is to manage his resources in a way that honors him. Our cars. Our bank accounts. Our time. Our children. Our relationships. God is the owner of it all. We are the managers. We honor God when we place ownership of all things in him. When we use his gifts as he directs, to serve others, people will see Jesus in us and come to know him too.

TODAY: Identify things in your life you need God’s help to remember you are the manager of. Write them down in a journal or on your mobile device and pray, “God you are the owner of _________. I am the manager.”