What is service? We rant or rave about service from our favorite restaurants, we hear of the brave men and women that serve in our military and give their lives to protecting our great country. We hear of people that serve the poor or maybe recently on the news you heard about people “Paying forward” and serving the person in back of them in line by paying for their coffee or meal. I believe we are “wired to serve” We are created in the image of God the ultimate servant. But what is Biblical Service and how can we do it well. I believe it can be summed up in the following verses:
Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
1 Corinthians 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
As the first two verses state, do everything as unto the Lord and to bring him glory. So as servant-leaders if you are doing it for cuddos from someone or selfish gain then you are doing it all for the wrong reasons. Serving in any capacity should first and foremost point to Jesus not to you. Let us continue to bring glory to God. We get it wrong many times thinking that “God needs my service to accomplish his will” or think that “what I am doing is soooo…. important”. Sorry to pop your bubble but you are not as important as you think, God can and will use you but God can and has used even a donkey to accomplish his will. It is a privilege that God uses us to proclaim his good news and serve others.
Secondly, let us regard others more important than yourself. This includes strangers, acquaintances, friends, the unbelieving and yes… even your enemies. In fact a great way to humble your self is to serve those whom you may dislike and despise. You might find that through your actions, walls may be broken down or a door may open for you to share the Gospel. May we count others more important than your self. This is very challenging when we hear from the world “You need to get yours” and we live in a self gratifying culture where its all about “ME” Let us challenge the status quo and rise above expectations to do more. I am reminded when Jesus stated to his followers:
Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic[b] either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful”
Let us go over and beyond to serve others so that they will turn and bring glory to God.
So the question is what shall I do? Where can I serve? I challenge you to pray about areas in which your gifts will shine. If your a teacher teach…if you love cooking…feed people…if you like to talk… be a greeter…etc… Take risks in getting out of your comfort zone and try something new. Continue to put others first and allow your self to be humbled and the most importantly to give God all the glory.