Read: 1 Peter 4:1-11

In the gospels Jesus often teaches about putting others before ourselves and caring for those in need.  He often would use parables to get this point across but ultimately he gave up his life for others who were in need of their sins being forgiven.  Yes, that would be us.  All of us.  As believers and followers of Jesus we should always be looking for ways to help others in need.

In a recent Our Daily Bread devotional Xochitl Dixon shares a story from a small farming community.  “Several years after the bank sold the farm David’s family had owned for decades, he learned the property would be available for sale.  After much sacrifice and saving, David arrived at the auction and joined a crowd of nearly 200 local farmers.  Would David’s meager bid be enough?  He placed the first bid, taking deep breaths as the auctioneer called for higher bids.  The crowd remained silent until they heard the slam of the gavel.  The fellow farmers placed the needs of David and his family above their own financial advancement.”

This story is just one example of many ways we can help an individual, family, student, co-worker, new neighbor, refugee, friend, church friend, or other who might be in need.  The key ingredient is that we look beyond ourselves and our own needs to see the needs of another.  This is what Peter encourages in verse 10 when he says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”