Why do we serve?  Do we want to let the world know how good of a person we are?  Does it make us feel important?  Or is it just a part of our nature?  Do we truly believe it is more blessed to give than receive?

We just finished reading an old Discipleship Journal magazine which had an article entitled “Secret Service.”  The article outlined how a few Christ-followers are serving others incognito.  They practice the scripture of not letting your right-hand know what your other hand is doing in serving others.  When they help others they do it either through a third party or in secret.  At the end of the day, all glory goes to God and the act itself.  They just receive the personal satisfaction of helping others without the fanfare.  We love the act.

When Jesus served, was his primary attitude to draw attention to Himself or to help others for their sake with as little fanfare as possible?  Did Jesus die for us because He wanted to achieve personal glory or because He Loves us?  When He walked the earth, who did He give the glory to?  As His disciple, we have learned that the glory and honor belongs to Jesus, our Heavenly Dad, and the Holy Spirit.  All the glory and praise is God’s.  We have come to realize that everything we accomplish, whether in service or for personal gain, we achieve only because of God’s grace.  For starters, He gives us life itself.  He gives us the air to breathe, makes our heart tick, and mind to operate effectively (unless we damage it).  He gives us His Spirit of compassion and love.  He allows us to work and earn an income.  He allowed us to be born in America, the land of physical wealth and personal freedom.  He blesses us so we can bless others.  He provides us the opportunities to serve.  He teaches us the joy and privilege of serving.  No wonder all the praises and glory go to Him.  Everything begins and ends with Him.

We don’t need the recognition anymore.  Our recognition comes from Him.  We are His disciples and He takes exceptionally good care of us.  All recognition goes to Him.

OUR PRAYER

Dear Wonderful Dad, you are our success, joy, and recognition in everything we do.  You surround us with your Grace and Presence each and every day.  You give us more than we deserve.  You make our cup overflow with your abundant riches.  Everything we own is a loan from you.  You created everything for us to share in and we likewise share it with others.  Without you there is nothing worth owning, possessing, or having.  You add value to everything because you created value.  We can never express our gratitude and thankfulness for your involvement in our life.  Everything is because of you.

If we have not express our thanks to you today, let us say thank you again and again.  If we have already expressed our thanks to you today, we express it again.  There is not enough time in a day to thank you for your Grace, your Gifts, but more importantly just knowing you.  We humbly thank you and express our gratitude.  Amen.

Consultant & Coach for Christ-Centered
Business Owners & Executives

Dr. Mike

Author of Great Business Emulates a Good God
Website: EnjoyLifeInChrist.com