What is the best gift you have ever received? What made this gift memorable? Sometimes we think of gifts of what we received but the gift of serving others can be the greatest gift of all.
Jesus is the model for serving others. Matthew 20:28 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.” [1] Is the Lord calling you to serve others? Maybe you never thought much about it, but the Lord wants to extend to you the wonderful gift of serving!
Nehemiah was a Faithful Servant to the People
Corrupt people in power are nothing new. Back in the days of Nehemiah corrupt people took advantage of others for their own gain. Instead of serving the people, they chose to serve themselves. Nehemiah was different. Nehemiah was a godly man who knew that serving others was a gift given to him by the Lord. His relationship with the Lord changed the way he treated people and how he conducted himself as a leader.
Nehemiah 5:14 For the entire twelve years that I was governor of Judah—from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes—neither I nor my officials drew on our official food allowance. 15 The former governors, in contrast, had laid heavy burdens on the people, demanding a daily ration of food and wine, besides forty pieces of silver. Even their assistants took advantage of the people. But because I feared God, I did not act that way. [2]
Serving Others Changes Us
Paul tells us in Philippians 2:4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. [3] By not laying heavy burdens on the people Nehemiah was looking after their interest not his own. This is what the Lord wants us to do in our own life and as we do, it changes the way we see others. Who is Lord prompting you to serve?
The Apostle Paul gives us insight into the value of serving others. Acts 20:35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’[4] Why is it a blessing to serve others? When we serve others, it takes the focus off ourselves and our selfish desires and directs us to think about others and their needs.
To hear more about the gift of serving others, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/rebuilding-unfinished-hope-economic-hardship
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.