"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 4:7-11). Service--it's what we're all here for--service to God and to one another, in keeping with the commandments, "Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself." We serve because we love in that God kind of way--the kind that expects nothing in return, the kind that doesn't need recognition or accolades, the kind that signs things "anonymous."  And God has equipped His people for service.

"We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8); "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophesy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  These are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines" (I Cor. 12:7-11). "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. and in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues" (I Cor. 12:27-28).  a very great variety of gifts are named, but they are all for the purposes of glorifying God and serving others. 

I like that we are told to be "good stewards of God's varied grace."  When I think of the word "steward," I think of Denethor in The Lord of the Rings.  He sat on a throne, but it was not the high throne reserved for the king of Gondor; it was a lower throne both in physical position and in recognition of rank. Denethor and his line were to govern Gondor until the return of the rightful king, one of the lineage of Elendil. Denethor was seduced into dark methods and thoughts, and so did not rule and defend Gondor in the way the true king would.  When he knew the rightful heir to the throne was on his way, Denethor was reluctant to give up his position. His self-centered rule could have caused the fall of Gondor, and in turn, the fall of man in Middle Earth. How's that for an analogy (with apologies to Tolkien who said he hated analogies)? We are given the lesser thrones, and the gifts to run this world until the true King, in the line of David, returns to claim His Rule over all creation.  Sadly, there are many who misuse and pervert the spiritual gifts, just like Denethor misused and perverted his office.  If we use the gifts for any purpose other than God's purpose, even if it seems like a good idea to us, we are guilty of fraud.  as Pastor Billy used to say: "Represent, don't substitute!"  God doesn't need a substitute; He needs those who are called by His Name to represent Him and His agenda on this earth. "For when one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow  apollos,' are you not mere men? What, after all, is apollos? and what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe--as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither the man who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" (I Cor. 3:4-7) The power is God's and the glory also goes to Him.

The verses in I Peter 4 also say that "love covers a multitude of sins." "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times" (Matt. 18:21-22); "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Eph. 4:30-32); "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (I Cor. 13:4-7). 

We are each given gifts to serve others; no one is left out; every one is given at least one gift, some are given more. The bottom line is, are you using your gift in the service of your King, or have you placed it on a shelf to brag about or to gather dust? There is only one you, and God has indeed placed you here for a purpose. Represent Him--serve others--until His return or until He calls you home.

Jesus, You are all good things, and I praise Your Name. Let me proclaim Your goodness and mercy and grace from the mountaintops! Hold my trembling hand as I get out of the boat, and keep my eyes on You instead of the waves as together we walk on water. Grant me Your abundance as You see fit, and teach me to be a good steward, that You will be exalted. amen

   *my capital a won't work!