THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVING OTHERS

“Life’s most urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” – Martin Luther King jr. .

Looking around, we see a world full of needs, and there is only so much we can do. It would seem more practical and logical to have everyone take care of themselves first. That eliminates the concerns of who best to serve and how best to serve them. There is one problem with that idea. God wants us to serve others.

In John 13, Jesus gathered with His disciples just before Passover, and He knew His time with them was growing short. He wanted to teach them something important, and He did it in a way that made a lasting impact. Jesus wrapped a towel around Himself, filled a basin with water and washed their feet.

In Jesus’ time, washing someone’s feet was the work of a servant. By this time, the disciples knew that Jesus was Lord, so for Him to do the work of a lowly servant was shocking. But He washed all their feet so that He could serve them. Remember that Jesus is the King of Kings, the Messiah, fully God yet fully man, the creator of the universe, and He chose at that moment to humble Himself so He could serve His followers. And Jesus’ desire to serve us didn’t end with washing the disciples’ feet. His whole life, death, and resurrection testify to His desire to serve us with grace and love. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should go out and literally wash people’s feet. It means that following Jesus means serving others.

Many people believe that being “called” by God is something only missionaries, pastors, church elders, and other church leaders experience. But the Bible says everyone is called to serve God by serving others. “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love” (Galatians 5:13).

We need to pause and remember that we are not saved by serving but for serving.  God is more interested in why you serve others than how well you serve them. He’s always looking at your heart, serving willingly and eagerly out of love for Jesus and gratitude for all He’s done for you.

What is the Lord stirring in your heart to do this week? Ask for His wisdom to see things through His eyes. Do you need to be praying for someone? Is God putting on your heart to send a note of encouragement? Have you wanted to help with cleaning at the church or maybe obeying that step of faith to lead a small group? Or maybe it is the gift of hospitality because the dining room or kitchen table in a believer’s home is one of the most impactful locations for ministry. Or maybe He is asking you to serve in the children’s ministry. Whatever the Lord is preparing your heart for, remember that you serve Him by serving others.

Discussion Questions:

1. Our devotion to God is illustrated, demonstrated, and authenticated by serving others.  Agree or disagree?
2. What hurdles do you have serving others?
3. What must you do, beginning today, to acquire the authentic heart of a servant?