Joyful Stewardship
Serving others often gets lost in the noise of our fast-paced, self-centered world. Yet, for the believer, serving others is not merely a duty but a profound joy, a divine privilege bestowed upon us by our Lord. Scripture calls us to this joyous task, and we find a deep and abiding satisfaction that the world cannot offer.
Jesus Christ, our supreme example, said, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). His entire life was a testament to selfless service. From washing His disciples' feet to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Christ exemplified the joy of serving others. When we serve, we mirror the heart of Christ.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, encourages us to "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). Here, Paul links humility with joy in service. We align our hearts with Christ's humility and find true happiness by esteeming others above ourselves.
Moreover, Peter exhorts believers, "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10). Our spiritual gifts are not for personal gain but for the edification of the body of Christ. When we use our gifts to serve, we steward God's grace and experience the fullness of His joy.
Serving others also allows us to fulfill the Great Commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39). Love manifests in action, and there is no greater expression of love than serving. In loving service, we demonstrate our love for God and others, reflecting the character of Christ and drawing others to Him.
The joy of serving is not contingent on external recognition or reward. Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, "When you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you" (Matt. 6:3-4). The true joy of serving is knowing that we are pleasing our Heavenly Father, who sees and rewards our faithfulness.
Serving others is a divine calling that brings immeasurable joy. By following Christ's example, esteeming others above ourselves, using our gifts to edify the body, and fulfilling the Great Commandment, we discover the profound joy of serving. As we serve in humility and love, we reflect the character of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and experience the fullness of His joy. May we, as His followers, embrace this joyous privilege with all our hearts.
