Posts Tagged ‘community’

Matthew 25:40 (New International Version)
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”

During these challenging economic times, it is tempting to turn into self. My natural inclination is to focus on what I perceive as my needs in order to “make it,” and what strategic moves I need to make to “come up.” The old adage of “get all you can and can all you get,” becomes our mantra as we scramble to hoard resources and manage our personal economies.
I believe that scrambling, hoarding, and self perseverance may be the world’s way of dealing with financially troubling times, but they are not God’s. In fact, the phrase “Kingdom Economics” is an oxymoron. “Economics” by itself renders thoughts of limited resources – and in God’s kingdom, nothing good and necessary is limited or scarce. God himself is the source of our provision – not our employers, the stock market, or our even our own businesses. God directs the flow of resources into our lives, choosing whichever channels please him. So while he may use our employers, the stock market, or our own businesses to bless us financially, make no mistake, He is using them.
How different is the perspective of someone who is constantly looking to share with others, from that of someone who is constantly looking to take from others, or to merely receive from God.
Here are five great reasons to serve others:
1. Serving Makes Me Grateful
It’s true. When you are tempted to complain about how bad things are, like the fact that you lack funds to purchase that new refrigerator you really must have. Remember, you have a refrigerator! Serving those who are truly in need helps me gain proper perspective on my own situation. If you’ve been hit hard by the economy, imagine what people who make less money, or who have lost their incomes entirely must be experiencing right now. There are many people in need who are grateful for every small thing. I am convicted of my ungrateful, selfish mindset whenever I meet them. We are all God’s children – we just find ourselves in different situations.
2. Serving Plugs Me Into Groups Serving Those in Need in My Community
People who serve voluntarily tend to enjoy giving back to their communities. They are often either directly or indirectly part of a network of people who pool resources and mobilize communities to work together for the sake of those in need. They are privy to information and projects that people who don’t consistently serve are not. I recommend finding group or organization that is closely related to something you enjoy doing. Do you like to shop? Try collecting clothes for “store” that provides business attire for those seeking jobs. Do you enjoy cooking? Take on a shift at a local soup kitchen, preparing or serving meals. Do you shop regularly for groceries? Find out what your local or church food pantry needs and add a few extra items to your list.
3. Serving Affirms the Dignity of My Fellow Man
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down from heaven to serve not to be served. Why? Because he values every human life. When I adopt his mindset, I see that every person breathing deserves my respect. In God’s kingdom respect is given – not earned – just as love is. When the bottom fell out of my family’s financial world a few years back, many of the people who helped us were very careful to affirm our dignity. What could have been a potentially humiliating time in my life, turned out to be one that confirmed for me just how much God loves me. For me, God used a horrible time in my life to prepare me to have more of a servant’s heart. By the way, I believe it is a lot easier to be the person giving, than receiving.
4. By Serving Others I Actually Serve Christ
Jesus spoke in the gospel of Matthew, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Throughout scripture God affirms and reaffirms that he is on the side of the poor and the oppressed. He identifies with them so strongly, that to serve them is to serve him.
5. Serving Pleases God
Serving others as a means to please the Lord is not based on a debtor’s ethic. I am not working off what I owe God for my salvation. God would never put such a burden on me. I serve in response to the love that God has shown me – namely his sending Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. God desires my company so much that he willfully sacrificed his Son so that He could be in relationship with me! What do I have that I can give God in exchange for that? Nothing. But I can express my gratitude, by showing that same sacrificial love to others through humbly serving them in Jesus’ name.
I don’t get the opportunity to serve others outside of my home as much as I used to, but I do believe that my daily service to my husband and children, is just as much a part of having a servant’s heart as any of the other opportunities!

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For Christmas my husband got me a Kindle. Love it! The very first book I read was “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. Great book, loved it and I highly recommend it!

In the book Randy writes about the dreams he had as a young boy and his desire to fulfill all of those dreams before he died. One dream he had was to be an imaginer at Disney World. He was able to fulfill that dream as a young grad student and when he became a father, he planned a trip back to Disney World with his father and son, Dylan.

Just as they were getting on board the train that gives you a tour around the park, Randy’s father noticed that the engineer had seats available up next to him and made a comment about how much fun that would be for Dylan, to ride up front with the engineer. Randy watched as his father continued to board the train on a normal seat and decided to go ask the engineer if the three of them could ride with him in the front. The engineer said, “Yes, please do!”

I love that Randy didn’t hold back and just asked the question. There was a desire of the heart, so he asked. Simple. This made me think of how many questions or desires I have that never get asked because I assume I already know the answer. I know sometimes I want something so desperately for myself or my family, that I share my struggle with all of my friends but never stop to ask God.

In the bible God tells us that he will answer our prayer requests. But we need to ask. It’s not that he doesn’t know our hearts desire, he does, God wants community with us. He wants us to continually communicate with him in all things. There is no request to big or too little. He is into the little stuff just as much as the big.

We may not get the answer we want and we may not get an answer immediately, but he will answer. It will be an answer according to His will and His plan for our lives.

So, what are you waiting for? Ask! The God of the universe, your heavenly Father, is waiting to hear from you and would love to answer your questions.
Matthew 21:22 (NIV)
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”