Previously we looked at the first section of this scripture which speaks to us about practising hospitality UNGRUDGINGLY, but now we move on to God’s real purpose in empowering us with his spiritual gifts. We are encouraged in Jude 20 to “build yourselves up in our most holy faith”, and to do this by “praying in the Holy Spirit”, always remembering that “we do not know how to pray as we ought”, and therefore constantly thanking our God for the fact that by his “Spirit he comes to our aid in our weakness”. (Rom 8:26)

    Of course the Spirit coming to our aid in our weakness was never intended to be just a theoretical doctrine, but was always meant to be a living reality in our daily walk with him, which would in turn cause us to rely on him to teach us how to “consider”, or think about ways “to stir one another up to love and good works” (Heb 10:24)

    But to get a real insight into how our God means us to go about this work of being good stewards we need to go to Eph 4:11-12 where we read that “His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelist, some pastors and teachers to equip the saints for the work of ministry, FOR BUILDING UP THE BODY OF CHRIST until we all attain to the UNITY OF THE FAITH, and of the KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD, TO MATURE MANHOOD, TO THE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.” What an amazing series of goals which must be achieved, but can only be carried out by his power working in us. (Eph 3:20)

    Now back to our God’s purpose in distributing the gifts of the Spirit. His prime purpose is laid out for us in 1Pet 4:10 above where we are exhorted to employ or use these gifts for the good of the saints, always remembering that we are acting as
stewards of God’s varied grace, and that as such we are held accountable to him for how we use these gifts. “It is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” (1Cor 4:2)