Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
What is it that you do for a living? Maybe youre a policeman, a fireman, or possibly a teacher, and you serve the community. Maybe youre involved in computer programming, or perhaps your talent lies in construction.
I guess a more important question to ask than What, you do, would be How do you do it?
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIV)
As Christian men and women, we should be continually asking ourselves, how do we serve others? Is our countenance one that is sincerely filled with joy when doing tasks for others, or are we simply going through the motions?
Can we say with confidence that God is praised by the way we serve others in church or in our job? Can we say confidently that Jesus is glorified by the way we treat and serve others?
If were going to give our time, talent money or abilities in serving others in the name of God, then we better be doing it with a happy heart. Otherwise, dont do it. God doesnt need our help to serve others to get things done. He so loves us that He provides us with an opportunity to serve in His ministry. And He is allowing us to share in the blessing of giving.
There are some who serve because they have been pressed into service; while others do it for the temporary glory, praise and satisfaction that they receive. We must guard ourselves from serving with improper motives.
Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:1-2 (NIV)
Lets say that your body has been shaped into a fantastic physical example by working out regularly. You do everything possible to sculpture your abs, chest and biceps and by all outward appearances, you look great. But what if you had heart disease? What good would all that external effort to build muscle do if this were the case? It wouldnt do you a bit of good.
So how does this relate to us as Christians with regards to serving?
Well, if were attending church, reading our Bible, praying, and serving others in an attempt to live a Godly life, but our heart is spiritually diseased with a lack of love for God, then were really no different than the person with a bad heart. God doesnt look at our outward appearances like we tend to do, nor does He accept or reject us based on our outward appearance. He looks at our hearts to determine our true intentions for serving (See 1 Samuel 16:7).
So we must be careful to guard ourselves so that we dont appear to be serving with proper motives on the outside, but have a heart that is not truly genuine in love towards the service, or the person were serving. Again, we will simply be looking the part, but not allowing God to do the work through us. God talks about these types of people in 2 Timothy:
&having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2Timothy 3:5 (NIV)
And this isnt just referring to our serving the Body of believers in the Church; it is about us serving anyone that God has brought into our lives.
Hey Christian, lets check our motives each time we are serving someone, whether it is at church or at work. Let us serve them as if we were serving God, and lets do it with love. Our attitude should reflect that we are a blessed people that have much to be thankful for. And our serving should bring us a tremendous joy because we know that we are serving our Lord.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the scriptures above with regards to our giving and serving others?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you serving in a way that reflects your joy and love for the Lord? Can others see it in your countenance?
APPLICATION: Seek Gods strength and love when serving others. Remember that there is a great reward for those who humbly serve in love.
What is it that you do for a living? Maybe youre a policeman, a fireman, or possibly a teacher, and you serve the community. Maybe youre involved in computer programming, or perhaps your talent lies in construction.
I guess a more important question to ask than What, you do, would be How do you do it?
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIV)
As Christian men and women, we should be continually asking ourselves, how do we serve others? Is our countenance one that is sincerely filled with joy when doing tasks for others, or are we simply going through the motions?
Can we say with confidence that God is praised by the way we serve others in church or in our job? Can we say confidently that Jesus is glorified by the way we treat and serve others?
If were going to give our time, talent money or abilities in serving others in the name of God, then we better be doing it with a happy heart. Otherwise, dont do it. God doesnt need our help to serve others to get things done. He so loves us that He provides us with an opportunity to serve in His ministry. And He is allowing us to share in the blessing of giving.
There are some who serve because they have been pressed into service; while others do it for the temporary glory, praise and satisfaction that they receive. We must guard ourselves from serving with improper motives.
Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. Matthew 6:1-2 (NIV)
Lets say that your body has been shaped into a fantastic physical example by working out regularly. You do everything possible to sculpture your abs, chest and biceps and by all outward appearances, you look great. But what if you had heart disease? What good would all that external effort to build muscle do if this were the case? It wouldnt do you a bit of good.
So how does this relate to us as Christians with regards to serving?
Well, if were attending church, reading our Bible, praying, and serving others in an attempt to live a Godly life, but our heart is spiritually diseased with a lack of love for God, then were really no different than the person with a bad heart. God doesnt look at our outward appearances like we tend to do, nor does He accept or reject us based on our outward appearance. He looks at our hearts to determine our true intentions for serving (See 1 Samuel 16:7).
So we must be careful to guard ourselves so that we dont appear to be serving with proper motives on the outside, but have a heart that is not truly genuine in love towards the service, or the person were serving. Again, we will simply be looking the part, but not allowing God to do the work through us. God talks about these types of people in 2 Timothy:
&having a form of godliness but denying its power. 2Timothy 3:5 (NIV)
And this isnt just referring to our serving the Body of believers in the Church; it is about us serving anyone that God has brought into our lives.
Hey Christian, lets check our motives each time we are serving someone, whether it is at church or at work. Let us serve them as if we were serving God, and lets do it with love. Our attitude should reflect that we are a blessed people that have much to be thankful for. And our serving should bring us a tremendous joy because we know that we are serving our Lord.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the scriptures above with regards to our giving and serving others?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you serving in a way that reflects your joy and love for the Lord? Can others see it in your countenance?
APPLICATION: Seek Gods strength and love when serving others. Remember that there is a great reward for those who humbly serve in love.
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