Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s consider the fact that we’re here to serve not be served.

In today’s scripture, Mark 10:45 (NLT), Jesus said…
[45] For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Consider…
Today’s scripture closes out Jesus’ teaching, in response to two of His disciples request for notoriety in Mark 10:35-37 (NLT)…
[35] Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.” [36] “What is your request?” he asked. [37] They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.”

There are many people today that desire spiritual stardom, just like James and John did.

Clearly these people didn’t pay attention to Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:16 (NLT)…
[16] In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

You see our spiritual shine should only make God sparkle in another person’s mind.

The question we must ask ourselves is, do we serve others for them to tell our story or give God glory?

Yet many people do things for the recognition of others rather than the approval of God. Matthew 6:16-18 (NLT) provides an example of this. Jesus admonishes…
[16] “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. [17] But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. [18] Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

When you do good things, whose approval are you seeking?

The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 1:10 (NLT)…
[10] Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

This makes me wonder if some of us serve seeking fame rather than bringing glory to Christ’s name?

Far too many of us are so obsessed with being blessed, that we forget we’re here to be a blessing.

Pride, like the disciples exhibited, make many of us being great rather than being a servant. Yet Jesus said in Matthew 23:11-12 (NLT)…
[11] The greatest among you must be a servant. [12] But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

In Luke 22:24-27 (NLT) we read an expanded description of God’s high esteem of lowly servants. Scripture says…
[24] Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. [25] Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ [26] But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. [27] Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.

This begs the question, if God values serving soo much, why isn’t it one of our highest aspirations?

The Apostle Paul points out that we’re saved to serve. He wrote in Galatians 5:13-14 (NLT)…
[13] 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. [14] For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Not only have we been saved, we’ve also been gifted by God to serve. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) explains…
[10] God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

The Holy Spirit inspired both Paul and Peter to include the caveat that what the Lord has done for us, is meant to be done through us.

It just occurred to me that God gives through His children. The most notable example is that He gave us salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:9-10 (NLT) explains…
[9] God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. [10] This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Sometimes we act like God stopped His giving with Jesus Christ. Yet Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) says…
[10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

We’re created to do good things that God planned for us to do. That means, it was always in God’s plan for us to serve others for Him.

I like the way the Holy Spirit had me read Philippians 2:3-5 (NLT), to emphasize God’s expectation. It says…
[3] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. [5] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

The Lord had me stop with verse 5 because, the two preceding verses describe what Jesus did. And today’s scripture highlights His attitude that we’re encouraged to have.

Like Jesus our attitude must be I’m not here to be served but to serve others and to give my life for their benefit.

The Apostle Paul expounds on this attitude in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)…
[19] Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. [20] When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. [21] When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. [22] When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. [23] I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

This makes me wonder, are we more interested in our headlines or spreading His good news?

The next time you take inventory of the gifts, skills and talents that God has given you, remember God wants to give through you.

Today, be like Jesus and give yourself away!

Today’s Song is…
I Give Myself Away

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)