Serve One Another Humbly
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Freedom is so important, but it should not be used for self-indulgence. Our liberty isnt intended to be spent on ourselves, but poured out in service to others. Here Paul reiterates Jesus point that entire Old Testament law is fulfilled in loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Loving To Do What Is Right
The more we do what is rightespecially in helping othersthe more we love to do what is right. Our good God loves to teach us to love to do good, reflecting his character. Through obedience, we are drawn closer to Christ and reflect his glory in the world.
Isaiah 1:17: Learn to do good seek justice, correct oppression bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Value Others Above Yourself
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Its hard to fathom doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but thats what Paul encourages from the church at Philippi. We should practice humility by looking to the interests of others. What does this mean? Jesus spoke of the same thing when He said, do to others what you would have them do to you .
Those things you wish others would do for you, do it for them. Imagine what you would want if you were in their position and offer them the same consideration.
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God Is Not Unjust He Will Not Forget Your Work And The Love You Have Shown Him As You Have Helped His People And Continue To Help Them Hebrews : 10 Niv
This scripture on serving demonstrates how highly God regards acts of service. The verse explains that by helping others you are directly showing God how much you love him.
We are also told that God will not forget these acts of kindness. This encourages us to continue in generous spirits as The Lord will not take these acts for granted.
The Greatest Will Be Your Servant
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
During one of Jesus teachings, He warns against the dangers of titles. After pointing out that the Pharisees love being greeted respectfully in the marketplace and called Rabbi. He tells his disciples not to rush to be called Rabbi, father, or instructor .
We shouldnt be using our relationship with God to gain attention and respect from others. Instead, Jesus tells the disciples that the greatest among them will be servants. Why does He say this? Because the servant class in first-century Palestine didnt get a lot of respect. No one bowed to the person who washed feet for a dinner party.
The point here is that were to put others before ourselves and our reputations.
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Therefore As We Have Opportunity Let Us Do Good To All People Especially To Those Who Belong To The Family Of Believers Galatians : 10 Niv
In this scripture, Paul is urging Christians to not grow tired of doing good to others. He encourages believers with the fact that their ultimate reward for doing good is eternal life with Christ.
He inspires believers to not only do good works for their brothers and sisters in faith, but to all people. You are called to have faith that you will be eternally blessed by the Lord Christ in Heaven.
When we help others we are refreshing our souls, this is spoken to us in Proverbs 11:25
Volunteer In Your Community
There are countless ways to serve God by serving in your community. From donating blood to adopting a highway, your local community has great need for your time and efforts.
PresidentSpencer W. Kimball counseled us to be careful not to select causes who’s primary focus is selfish:
When you select causes to devote your time and talents and treasure to, be careful to select good causes… which will produce much joy and happiness for you and for those you serve.
You can easily become involved in your community, it only takes a little effort to contact a local group, charity, or other community program.
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Simple Acts Of Service
President Spencer W. Kimballtaught:
God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom… In the Doctrine and Covenants we read about how important it is to ‘…succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.’ So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds!
Sometimes all it takes to serve God is to give a smile, hug, prayer, or a friendly phone call to someone in need.
Serve God Through Your Family
To serve God starts with serving in our families. Daily we work, clean, love, support, listen to, teach, and endlessly give of ourselves to the members of our family. We may often feel overwhelmed with all that we must do, but Elder M. Russell Ballard gave the following counsel:
The key… is to know and understand your own capabilities and limitations and then to pace yourself, allocating and prioritizing your time, your attention, and your resources to wisely help others, including your family…
As we lovingly give of ourselves to our family, and serve them with hearts full of love, our acts will also be counted as service to God.
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The Wickedness Of Selfishness
Scripture doesnt merely teach the praiseworthiness of helpfulness but also condemns its opposite, selfishness. This is the other side of It is more blessed to give than to receive. It is a cursed thing to act selfishly at anothers expense. God graciously warns us against walking down this path, which consumes those who take it.
Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Proverbs 21:13: Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
Ephesians 4:28: Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
2 Thessalonians 3:10: For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.
1 Timothy 5:8: But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
What Does The God Say About Helping Others
The first place we should always go when deciding how to proceed in life on any topic is the bible. Understanding Gods intention for any habit or activity is the best way to truly grow in an area of our lives. Learning more about serving others is no different.
Throughout the Old and New Testament there are multiple bible verses about serving others for us to study, however, the best example of serving others in the bible is the life of Jesus.
Jesus entire purpose in life was service. He came to earth, from his place on high with God, to give to us. Humans who have no possible way of paying him back. He left everything to live among us and show us the best way to live and to claim the victory over death and sin that had been present on earth since the fall of humanity.
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Mourn With Those That Mourn
If we are to “come into the fold of God, and to be called his people” we must be “willing to bear one anothers burdens, that they may be light Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort…” . One of the easiest ways to do this is to visit and listen to those who are suffering.
Carefully asking appropriate questions often helps people feel your love and empathy for them and their situation. Following the whisperings of the Spirit will help guide us to know what to say or do as we keep the Lord’s commandment to care for one another.
The Holiness Of Helpfulness
Helping others isnt just a good thing to do it is a holy thing to do. This means that helping others is one of the ways that God sets apart his church in the world. Christians are meant to separate themselves from the spirit of this age by refusing to live selfish lives and, instead, serving others.
Matthew 5:42: Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Ephesians 2:10: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Galatians 2:10: Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.
Galatians 6:2: Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
Hebrews 13:16: And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Luke 6:30: Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
John 15:13: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down ones life for ones friends.
Romans 12:10: Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:13: Share with the Lords people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
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Carry Each Others Burdens
Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Life has its fair share of burdens, and theyre not all shared equally. Some people struggle with great burdens that they didnt ask for or create. The beauty of Christs body is that as we all share in one anothers burdens, and as we do that, they become manageable.
At one point, Jesus told the disciples that the world would know we belonged to Him because of our love for one another . This is one expression of this truth. Everyone hungers for this kind of love and compassion, and when they see Gods children treating one another this way, it affirms the truth of the gospel.
Its Better To Give Than Receive
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Here Paul quotes something Jesus said that didnt make it into one of the gospels. In the past, Bible critics have accused Paul of making a mistake, but when the apostle said this, the gospels werent readily available yet. Likely, this was a saying of Jesus that was pretty well known.
And it obviously sounds like the Lord. When we accept the truth that its more blessed to give than to receive, we have to take it on faith. Because sometimes it doesnt feel more blessed to give. But Jesus assures us that-in the long run-youll be happier about the times that you gave than you are about the times you received.
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If You Are A Post Skimmer Hello To Better Serve You I Have Bolded My Very Favorite Verses On This Subject Throughout
All the verses marked TPT shared in today post are taken from one of Mike and Is favorite translations, The Passion Translation. We love this version and the heart behind it. The best part is the Kindle version is usually available on Amazon for under $10. Last time I checked, it was only $6.99! You can check it out here.
Proverbs 3:27
Why would you withhold payment on your debt when you have the ability to pay? Just do it! Proverbs 3:27 TPT
What Does The Bible Say About Serving Others
One biblical definition of serving others we can find by looking at the word servant in the verse listed above in Matthew 23:11.
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The original word is diakonos and means one who executes the commands of another, esp. of a master, a servant, attendant, minister.
I love how the definition of this word includes the word minister. Here is another verse.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 NASB
If we were to read this verse in Mark in the King James Version we see that the word for serve or served is actually minister. Jesus did not come to be ministered to, but to minister
People have lots of different thoughts about ministry and what it looks like, but if we break it down to its core, ministry is simply serving others.
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The Blessing Of Serving Others
Serving others is a tremendous blessing. William Hendricksen said What is promised here therefore, is that our Lord, at His second coming, will, in a manner consonant with His glory and majesty, wait on His faithful servants. Jesus loves us enough to serve us, for it is a blessing. Likewise, when we serve others it is a blessing to us. The Lord will bless those who bless others. When we serve, we dont do it for what we can get out of it or to be seen, but there are blessings we experience when we serve. Serving allows us to experience Gods miracles, develop spiritual gifts, experience joy, become more like Christ, experience Gods presence, promote gratitude, inspire others to do the same, etc.
44. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
45. Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
46. Luke 12:37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.
Give And It Will Be Given To You
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
At one point, Jesus tells His audience that if they condemn others, they will also be condemned. If they forgive, they will also be forgiven. And then He launches into this verse. Jesus often talks about Gods reciprocity. What you give, you will receive. But when it comes to doing good, God promises to accelerate this truth.
If we are generous, God promises to be even more generous. Why? We might be more condemning and accusatory than God, but we can never, ever be more generous.
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We Serve God By Serving Others
Serving God is an expression of love. It is through serving God that we can best serve others. They will see our genuine love for the Lord, and it will be a tremendous encouragement to them. On the other side of that same coin, we worship God when we reach out to serve other people. It is in this expression of agape love that we reflect Christ. I encourage you to seek ways to serve in your community. Pray that God would use you for His glory. Also, remember that when we give and serve others, we are serving Christ.
1. Galatians 5:13-14 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
2. Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
3. 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
4. Matthew 6:2 When you give to the poor, do not boast about it, announcing your donations with blaring trumpets as the play actors do. Do not brazenly give your charity in the synagogues and on the streets indeed, do not give at all if you are giving because you want to be praised by your neighbors. Those people who give in order to reap praise have already received their reward.