SERVE OTHERS
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one of you for whatever good you do.
Ephesians 6:7-8a, TNIV
As children my sister and I were infamous for needing to go to the bathroom when it was time to clear the table and do dishes. If we loitered long enough, it gave our mom time to make a significant dent on the clean up. She grew wise to our scheming and either stayed put until we returned or had us wait to use the restroom until we were finished cleaning up. It was amazing, when forced to wait, neither one of us had an accident and typically forgot that we needed a bathroom in the first place. Have you ever gone great lengths to avoid work you don’t enjoy?
In Acts 6 some of the growing pains of the new church come to light. The Grecian Jews were complaining against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:2-4).
Serve tables. Do we wholeheartedly serve when the task at hand is miserable and messy? There is no such thing as unimportant work when we serve the Lord! Seven men were chosen to wait tables and organize the food distribution program. They were called to the work because they were full of the Spirit and wisdom and they were set apart for the work when the apostles prayed and laid their hands on them (Acts 6:6). Their willingness to do what some may have deemed insignificant was instrumental in helping the word of God spread (Acts 6:7).
Serve like Jesus. Do we wholeheartedly serve or wholeheartedly look for ways to be served? Jesus said, “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22:27). Kingdom service looks backwards to a world that seeks prestige and honor. We must serve like Christ who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28).
Serve the Lord. Do we wholeheartedly serve as if Jesus were our supervisor? Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:23). True servants serve with all their hearts – no matter what the task and no matter who may or may not be watching.
PASSION Step: What seemingly insignificant tasks need your attention at home, work, your church or community today? Identify one and work at it with all your heart.
There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord; but few of us are willing to do the little things.
D.L. Moody
No comments:
Post a Comment