"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us … he that exhorteth, [let him
be given to] exhortation; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with
diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness" (Rom. 12:6,8).

He That Exhorteth

The teacher has chiefly to do with the understanding, the exhorter with the conscience. It requires
great grace to be an exhorter, and equally great grace to receive the word of exhortation. The gift
is now rare in the church of God. Few have grace to bring the keen edge of the Word down upon
the conscience, and at the same time make the person feel that love rules, and that his good is the
only object in view. Exhortation includes admonition, consolation, urging to practical duties,
dissuading from the neglect of duty, pointing out shortcomings, applying the promises or the
threatenings of Scripture as the case may be. But we need not dwell on the difficulties of the
exhorter, and the still greater difficulty of submitting to the exhortation. They must be apparent
to all. Personal feelings are apt to arise and false motives to be imputed; still, the apostle presses
the exercise of the gift as needed and wholesome for the members of the body of Christ. The Lord
grant that in this day of high-mindedness, of insubjection to the Word of God, our lives may be
a constant testimony to the will of Christ, and our diligent attention to the things of the Lord both
publicly and privately, a constant exhortation to our fellow Christians. Then it will be not only,
Do as I say, but do as I do.

He That Giveth

The apostle is here speaking of gifts, not of office, and of the manner in which the various duties
of Christians, as members of one body, ought to be performed. He whose gift is riches, and who
giveth of his substance for the wants of the poor, or the work of the Lord, is to do it with
simplicity. Here let us pause a moment and consider this weighty caution. Nothing is more
difficult than to distribute money according to this word of the Lord. "Simplicity" here means
"singleness of heart, fearing God"; and again, "in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ" (Col.
3:22; Eph. 6:5; 2 Cor. 1:12). How searching is the Word of God! It guards against ostentation,
love of praise, wrong motives, improper objects; and on the other hand, it warns us against all
evasive pretexts, such as, "Not convenient; I have so many calls; I am not able to give." At the
same time, the Christian is but a steward, whether he distributes what may be called his own, or
the bounty of the church, and he is entitled to look for "simplicity and godly sincerity" in the
applicant as well as in himself. There are many plausible appeals made for money, which, when
carefully examined, are found to be neither simple nor sincere. He must also watch against the
clever pleader putting his soul in bondage and making him unhappy. There is only one remedy
for all the difficulties connected with giving, as for all other things. The giver must walk before
the Lord with purity of motive, free from all improper designs, and waiting to do His will with
an honest, impartial simplicity. When the eye is single, the whole body is full of light; perplexity
with darkness flees away, the mind of God is discerned, and the clear light of heaven shines on
the steward’s way.

He That Ruleth

Those who are called to exercise the gift of ruler or leader in the assembly of God are required
to do so with the closest attention and zeal. Much sorrow, alienation of feeling, coldness, and
irregularity in attendance might be prevented by the watchful and faithful discharge of the ruler’s
duties. Prevention is better than cure, and in nothing more so than in a community of free,
intelligent, but sensitive minds encompassed with many infirmities. He needs a skillful eye to
watch the countenance, to mark the movements, and to notice the first change in conduct. One
may be observed hurrying off rather quickly at the close of a meeting so as to avoid speaking or
being spoken to. Why is this? It was not so lately. On inquiry, it is found that offence has been
taken from supposed neglect, or the heart has been wounded by the apparent partiality of the ruler
himself. Misunderstanding prevails.

Such a state of things calls for immediate, faithful, wise, and tender dealing. There may be faults
on both sides; grace must reign; still, that which is right must not be overlooked. But carelessness
or indolence on the part of the ruler at such a moment might be ruinous to the peace and the
prosperity of the assembly. The strong must bear with the weak, and anything like partiality,
especially on the part of those who have influence in a meeting, must be carefully avoided.
Though we cannot love all alike, we must not manifest our love to some to the grief and wounding
of others. Vigilance and fidelity must be the watchword of the ruler, but he must not forget to
cherish and manifest the love of Him who died for the flock, and rose again to fold in His
everlasting embrace His blood-bought sheep and lambs.

He That Showeth Mercy

This is a fine gift, and one much to be coveted by all who visit the poor and the afflicted. We are
not only to show mercy, but to show it with such a cheerful spirit as to manifest that, if it be a
consolation to them, it is a pleasure to us. The value of any service of love rendered to the
children of sorrow mainly depends on the spirit in which it is done. It should be our watchful
study to spare the feelings of the poor in our acts of benevolence, to soothe the sorrows of the
sick, to shed a bright radiance in the chamber of suffering or death, and always to leave behind
us the sweet fragrance of the name of Jesus.

(From Meditations on Christian Devotedness [Romans 12].)