Charlie-in-the-Box from The Island of Misfit Toys
ἕκαστος καθὼς ἔλαβεν χάρισμα εἰς ἑαυτοὺς αὐτὸ διακονοῦντες ὡς καλοὶ οἰκονόμοι ποικίλης χάριτος θεοῦ. (1 Pet. 4:10 NA28)
Just as each one received a gift so also serve one another as good keepers of the varied grace of God. (Author's Translation)
Of note in this verse is how there is coordination between receiving a spiritual gift from God and the type of service one renders. This is not merely a nice idea that could be a strong choice, rather it is a matter of proper care of the thing that God has given. The reason for serving according to one's given gift is οἰκονόμοι (Transliteration: oikonomoi), which is the word from which we get economics. Rather than theory about finances of the world, nation, or other human grouping, this word emphases originally the wisdom needed to make a household orderly. The beginning of the word has house in it (οἰκος). In ancient times, the home was not just a place to relaxation or retreat. The home had many functions, to include things like food production, clothing production, safety, etc... It was a place that required orderly administration. This is the emphasis of the word "steward" or "keeper". If we fail use the gifting from God, we fail to cherish his gift. We fail to preserve his gift. We fail an orderly administration of it.
In a world that emphasizes theories that account for all cases, this verse emphasizes understanding with an eye towards variety. All people are the same. All people are a bit different. In fact, the whole of human experience cannot be experienced narrowly. Those who are different are a part of variety God has given. Aptitudes, dispositions, interests, abilities, and discernment all are a part of our gifting. No one has a corner market on what ministry should look exactly like. In fact each person's gifting is unique.
Meditating on this verse in 1 Peter has been a blessing to me because it shows that not all have the same gifts, and definitely my gifting does not run on the same tracks as the well travelled routes. In fact, my path has been highly off from norms. I have been tempted to get discouraged that I have not normalized my progress in ministry. When I look at the ministry path I have taken, one way of looking at it is to say I have done it wrong. There is definatly a truth in saying that. For instance I did not complete my Masters of Divinity (M.Div) in my 20s as is more in line with normal paths in ministry. In many ways I wish I had completed my M.Div in my 20s, but finishing after I was 50 has brought me humility and recognition of my own limitations. Coming face to face with our weaknesses is grace. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV)" God's power is made perfect in my weakness. My weakness is his tool to bring me closer to him. I do not naturally rejoice in my weakness. I do thank God for my frustration and slowness of completing my M.Div. Another area where I am off of the norm is my focus on engagement with the academic side of Bible interpretation. This bent may hinder some of my desires for the future. However, this may aid me to focus less on pleasing people and perhaps focus more on pleasing God. It is yet to be seen how it works out, but seeing that my "Island of Misfit Toys" disposition it is good to know that it has not been out of God's plan. This brings me comfort.
Just as each one received a gift so also serve one another as good keepers of the varied grace of God. (Author's Translation)
Of note in this verse is how there is coordination between receiving a spiritual gift from God and the type of service one renders. This is not merely a nice idea that could be a strong choice, rather it is a matter of proper care of the thing that God has given. The reason for serving according to one's given gift is οἰκονόμοι (Transliteration: oikonomoi), which is the word from which we get economics. Rather than theory about finances of the world, nation, or other human grouping, this word emphases originally the wisdom needed to make a household orderly. The beginning of the word has house in it (οἰκος). In ancient times, the home was not just a place to relaxation or retreat. The home had many functions, to include things like food production, clothing production, safety, etc... It was a place that required orderly administration. This is the emphasis of the word "steward" or "keeper". If we fail use the gifting from God, we fail to cherish his gift. We fail to preserve his gift. We fail an orderly administration of it.
In a world that emphasizes theories that account for all cases, this verse emphasizes understanding with an eye towards variety. All people are the same. All people are a bit different. In fact, the whole of human experience cannot be experienced narrowly. Those who are different are a part of variety God has given. Aptitudes, dispositions, interests, abilities, and discernment all are a part of our gifting. No one has a corner market on what ministry should look exactly like. In fact each person's gifting is unique.
Meditating on this verse in 1 Peter has been a blessing to me because it shows that not all have the same gifts, and definitely my gifting does not run on the same tracks as the well travelled routes. In fact, my path has been highly off from norms. I have been tempted to get discouraged that I have not normalized my progress in ministry. When I look at the ministry path I have taken, one way of looking at it is to say I have done it wrong. There is definatly a truth in saying that. For instance I did not complete my Masters of Divinity (M.Div) in my 20s as is more in line with normal paths in ministry. In many ways I wish I had completed my M.Div in my 20s, but finishing after I was 50 has brought me humility and recognition of my own limitations. Coming face to face with our weaknesses is grace. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV)" God's power is made perfect in my weakness. My weakness is his tool to bring me closer to him. I do not naturally rejoice in my weakness. I do thank God for my frustration and slowness of completing my M.Div. Another area where I am off of the norm is my focus on engagement with the academic side of Bible interpretation. This bent may hinder some of my desires for the future. However, this may aid me to focus less on pleasing people and perhaps focus more on pleasing God. It is yet to be seen how it works out, but seeing that my "Island of Misfit Toys" disposition it is good to know that it has not been out of God's plan. This brings me comfort.
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