The word “steward” is not common parlance in our culture, but familiarize yourself with it today, because young Christians are stewards. A steward is one who is looking after something that belongs to someone else. In other words, you are entrusted with something and charged to manage it and use it for the benefit of the One who gave it to you. According to 1 Peter 4:10, you are a steward of God’s grace. The context is serving your fellow believers, and Peter says every brother and sister has something to do. Every believer has a ministry to fulfill. Every Christian is a steward. Are you being a good steward with what God has given you to do?
Christians suffer from the attacks and criticisms of the world around them. Because of our spiritual and moral separation from the society outside, it is vitally important that we are closely bound together within the family of God. God says this means love, forgiveness, hospitality, and service to one another (1Peter 4:7-11). This new society of which we are a part, this Christian brotherhood, is precious. Every member is valuable, having been redeemed with precious blood. Every member needs to contribute. You can’t take a pass on your Christian responsibilities. Not everyone has the same responsibility, but everyone has a ministry to fulfill. “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1Peter 4:10, ff). Are you being a good steward?
The word “gift” comes from the word “grace” – this “gift” is an outworking of grace. It is a ministry that God has graciously given you. It is a particular aspect of service that He has called you to carry out with the help of His abundant and sufficient grace. It is your privilege and responsibility to minister grace to your Christian brothers and sisters. God’s grace is “varied” – that is, it is diverse; it comes in various forms. Not everyone is called to do the same thing. But you aren’t a steward of the grace God has given to me, or your best friend, or the elders in the local church. You are a steward of the grace God has given to YOU. Is there something that you see should be done in the local church? Is there a need not being met? Could the Lord use you to meet it? Do others think the Lord could use you to meet it? Do your brothers and sisters appreciate your effort in serving this way? If you have never thought through questions like this, start thinking!
Your service to fellow believers has an overarching purpose, even higher than the blessing of your brothers and sisters. Peter says, “whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 4:11, ESV). God has entrusted you with grace to serve – it’s a stewardship. You’re doing it for Him. He is the One who gave you the grace, and His glory is the ultimate goal. God has given you something to do to glorify Him. Are you doing it? Be a good steward.
