Managing Our Gifts

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Managing Our Gifts, was written by Patricia Rabin. In 2013, British actor David Suchet was filming the final TV episodes as Agatha Christie's beloved Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and also starring in a stage play, when he took on the biggest role in his life. Between those projects he recorded an audio version of the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation – 752,702 words – over 200 hours. Suchet, who became a believer in Jesus after reading the book of Romans in a Bible he found in a hotel room, called the project the fulfillment of a 27-year-long ambition. I felt totally driven.

I did so much research on every part of it that I couldn't wait to get going. Then he donated his wages. His recording remains an inspiring example of how to glorify God by stewarding a gift, then sharing it. Peter urged such stewardship in his letter to the first-century believers.

Persecuted for worshipping Jesus, not Caesar, they were challenged to focus instead on living for God by nurturing their spiritual gifts. First Peter 4, verse 11 reads, If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. Like all gifts, we can develop them so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Suchet offered his talents to God.

We can do the same. Whatever God has given to you, manage it well for His glory. Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 1 Peter, chapter 4, verses 7 through 11.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind, so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so 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. Let's pray together. O God, at times we've squandered our gifts and talents in favor of serving ourselves. Please sharpen our commitment to manage the gifts You've given us so the world praises You. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Joyce Dinkins and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.