♫ Gotta Serve Somebody
“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
~Martin Luther King Jr.
I’ve written pages and pages here about having an active faith, a walking faith. Nothing shows your faith to the world more than service to your fellow man.
One of the sayings of Jesus that’s stuck out to me over the years—one that I try to remind myself of often because I feel I always fall short—is Matthew 10:42. “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” …show more content…
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans …show more content…
That’s not being selfish, it’s being responsible. And don’t feel bad if you must temporarily stop helping others in order to focus on your family. That’s the way things ought to be.
Second to family in my mind—and I know that there’s likely a wide difference of opinion on this issue—is your service to and through a local church. Not only am I of the belief that every follower of Christ should be an active member of a local assembly, but that they should also be giving regularly to that church—giving money, time, talents, skills, service, and attention.
Many, but not all, churches seem to have about 10-15% of the congregants doing 90% of the work. This should never be the case. John Heywood was right when he wrote, “Many hands make light work.” The more people who are involved the better, not only for the sake of making a tough job easier, but more for the sake of accomplishing great things. I’ve seen it over and over. Churches can acheive amazing things when they work together toward the goals God has for them.
What are your skills and talents? What are your spiritual gifts? (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4) Your church needs you to give them and use them effectively. Your church cannot be all that it could be without you.
Looking Beyond Our Own