“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7
There is a Greek word translated “join” in Acts 17:4 that means that God assigned certain people to be part of Paul’s ministry by lot, or allotted by God. To allot means, “to divide or distribute by share or portion, to set apart.” In the Old Testament, the Jews would cast lots, pebbles or sticks, to make decisions, to divide inheritance and to determine duties in the temple (I Chronicles 25:8). It was like throwing dice, but the outcome was not by chance. Rather God would determine the outcome (Proverbs 16:33). Now that we each have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, we no longer use that practice.
In Ephesians 4:7, Paul tells us that we each have been given grace, or gifts, according to the measure, or portion, of Christ’s gift. He describes the five-fold ministry gifts given to the church by Christ to equip all believers to do their part to bring growth to the body (Ephesians 4:16). In Romans 12, Paul writes to the church about the part they play in the local church, gifts that God has given to each one of us. In verse 3 he writes that God has dealt, meaning to give as a share or to apportion, a measure, or portion, of faith. In context, Paul is referring to the part we have to play in the body of Christ. Verse 6 “having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” The measure of faith that God has given to each of us is the allotment of gifting and responsibility of ministry that He assigned to each one of us.
In II Corinthians 10:13, Paul talks about his sphere of influence, within his measure, or portion. Other translations read, “according to the measure of the rule with God hath distributed to us,” “sphere of service God Himself has assigned to us,” “within the limits of our commission which God has allotted us as our measuring line”, and “within the boundaries of the work God has given us.”
Each one of us has a part to play in the local church. The part we have is a portion that God has assigned to us. It is our inheritance, or our lot. It is how God fits or sets us in His body. Not only have we been given an assignment for what we are to do, but who we are to do it with, how we are to do it, where we are to do it, and when we are to do it. There were people who joined, or were allocated to Paul’s ministry by the Lord. God will also join you, fit you or set you, into your place in His body.
Application: I would encourage you to ask the Lord what part that God has for you to play in His kingdom in this moment. Ask for the land of your inheritance, your portion. He will give it to you.