The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was
weaned Abraham held a great feast. But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the
Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, "Get
rid of that slave woman and her son, for that slave woman's son will never
share in the inheritance with my son Isaac." Genesis 21:8-10 (NIV)
Sarah faced a common, but unbecoming dilemma. She had
received God’s grace, but she refused to offer God’s grace to others. Sure
there was some sibling rivalry between Ishmael and Isaac as well as plenty of
tension between Sarah and Hagar. It was not your typical step family situation,
if there is a typical one.
God never intended for us to hoard His grace. He gives grace
to save us (Ephesians
2:8-9) and grace to sustain us (2
Corinthians 12:9). God also gives His grace for us to give to others. In 1
Peter 4:10 we read, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve
others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.” How do we
administer God’s grace? “Administer” used here is the same word as
“stewardship.” Everyone who receives God’s grace has become a steward or
manager of God’s grace. It’s our job to extend God’s grace to those around us
by using our spiritual gifts (charismata
or “grace gifts”).
How has God blessed you with His grace? How can you extend
God’s grace through forgiveness, encouragement, mercy or helps today?
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