We serve for the same reason we give, and it really is not about us
By Dean Collins
Yesterday I wrote suggesting that when we give, our focus should be on the kingdom and not about our own recognition. The same could be said for any kind of Christian service; it’s something for leaders of churches and nonprofit ministries to think about. We lead as an act of worship and to glorify God. We do not lead to receive accolades.
One of the passages we all likely read or heard during Advent was from Micah 5:
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.”
The Savior of the world was born in a small and humble town. The Creator of the universe laid aside his power and glory to be born in obscurity, to live humbly, and to die a cruel death for our benefit. And yes, he lives in glory eternally. But according to Scripture, his glory came after he laid down his life in obedience to God. Here’s the summary of the apostle Paul. He’s talking about Jesus here:
”who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“
Throughout Christ’s earthly ministry, his teaching was consistent on the matter of humble service as our platform. We do not lead to gain recognition. We are minor players in the grand story of God. We lead through our service for his glory and not for our own.
Consider the words of Jesus:
“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?“
And:
“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The psalmist, even amid trouble and anguish, understood that even though we may be “small and despised,” we must not forget the precepts of our faith and lean on the promises of God. James reminds us that we are to humble ourselves before the Lord, knowing he will lift us up.
Whether we give financially to kingdom ministries or we lead them, we are called to lives of humility, trusting that through our sacrifice the world will know the love of Christ and see the glory of God.
Father forgive us when we seek recognition. We ask that you use our gifts and our service so that you might be glorified now and forevermore. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Micah 5:2, 4, 9; Psalm 119:141, 143-148; John 5:30, 44; Matthew 20:26-28 ESV
NiseriN photo at istockphoto.com
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